In this series, we will be highlighting the four different BMW Repair Stages. Though not each of the stages may apply to a particular repair, it is beneficial to familiarize yourself with each. The stages are located in vehicle-specific body repair manuals under 0 Contents of Body, General - Repair Method section (see Figure 1). Let’s take a closer look at the additional information available in Repair Stage 1a.

You get a new computer, you have everything setup, you start to access an OEM information website, you get to where the manual used to open and you get a blank screen instead. Now what?

Honda and Acura use keyword searches to find repair information on the Service Express website. These keywords allow you to efficiently get to the repair information you are researching. When finding information on your vehicle and decoding your VIN, Honda and Acura have made information on Vehicle Build Data easily accessible at techinfo.honda.com.

As a collision repair technician, there is one part of a service manual that houses all of the information you would ever need…right? This is not the case with modern vehicles. You may be required to look in numerous manuals to find the information required to safely repair the vehicle.

Honda has released the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid Body Repair News Bulletin. This document gives an overview on some of the new features in the 2018 Accord Hybrid that may cause changes in how the vehicle is repaired. It highlights the use of 1500 mpa steel in the B-pillar as a stiffener. Also, in the B-pillar, there is a region containing 560-695 mpa steel where Honda allows a sectioning procedure.

One of the top technical inquires received at Ask I-CAR is “Is there a sectioning or partial replacement procedure available?” To help answer this question, RTS has an OEM Partial Part Replacement Search available. Here you will find information on if these procedures are available on a specific vehicle. Let’s take a closer look at the Volkswagen Tiguan.

One of the top technical inquires received at Ask I-CAR, "Is there a sectioning or partial replacement procedure available?" To help answer this question, RTS has an OEM Partial Part Replacement Search available. Here you will find information on if these procedures are available on a specific vehicle. Let's take a closer look at the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado.

Honda and Acura use keyword searches to find repair information on the Service Express website. These keywords allow you to efficiently get to the repair information you are researching. When repairing a vehicle, Honda and Acura have made information on body repairs easily accessible with body repair manuals (BRM) at techinfo.honda.com.

The 54th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference took place June 25-29, 2018 in Louisville, KY. Every year I-CAR sends volunteers to judge the collision repair technology competition. Let’s take a look at this year’s results.

As part of the I-CAR Repairability Technical Support (RTS) OEM Linking Pin activity, we are helping to connect the collision repair industry to the vehicle makers. Recently we had a technical inquiry that asked, "The body repair manual does not specify the number of rivets needed in the replacement procedure. How many rivets are needed?" We reached out to Audi for clarification.

One of the top technical inquires received at Ask I-CAR, “Is there a sectioning or partial replacement procedure available?” To help answer this question, RTS has an OEM Partial Part Replacement Search available. Here you will find information on if these procedures are available on a specific vehicle. Let’s take a closer look at the 2017 Subaru Legacy.

When it comes to repair information, no two vehicle makers are the same. Which is why it's critical to understand what you are reading in the repair procedure. Many OEMs provide links within the repair procedure that expand on what needs to be completed. Often, some related procedures may appear missing because they have to be accessed via a link within the main procedure. Let’s take closer look at BMW’s repair procedures.

As a collision repair technician, there is one part of a service manual that houses all of the information you would ever need…right? This is not the case with modern vehicles. You may be required to look in numerous manuals to find the information required to safely repair the vehicle.

The all new 2019 BMW M850i is coming to America. The new 8 Series comes with some very exclusive features including an adaptive cruise control system that functions at speeds up to 130 mph. BMW describes the vehicles new easy out feature for parking. BMW states, “the vehicle can steer itself in reverse at up to 6 mph for 55 yards to help a vehicle out of a tight spot by retracing the car’s last movements in drive.”

Honda and Acura use keyword searches to find repair information on their Service Express website. These keywords allow you to efficiently get to the repair information you are researching. When diagnosing a vehicle, Honda and Acura have made information on diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), easily accessible at techinfo.honda.com.