Properly blueprinting vehicles before starting repairs is key to smooth, efficient, and quality repairs. Knowing what you are dealing with at the beginning eliminates the risk of costly delays when you’re trying to deliver the vehicle by the promised deadline. To help educate you on this process, Collision Hub’s Repair University Live is focusing next week’s episode on blueprinting. Let’s see when we can tune in.
Believe it or not, programming has been done now for decades. When on board diagnostics (OBD) became the standard, it brought along a lot of processes that had not previously been needed. Even though many collision repairers have been around this technology for a long time, many still don’t understand what programming is or what it is doing. Often times, programming can only be done with a high-level aftermarket scan tool or by a dealer with a factory scan tool. For the most part, when a module was replaced, a technician’s involvement was to send the vehicle to the dealer with a SRS light on, and it came back without the light on. However, there are more components than ever on vehicles that require programming. For example, you may not be able to change a tail lamp without having to program it. What does it mean to program something?
Panel layering often comes up in the collision repair process. The order that overlapping panels were put on at the factory may affect how parts are replaced during the repair process. The build sequence may also affect access to the joints that require separation for replacement parts.
One of the top technical inquiries 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 Volkswagen Jetta.
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.
One of the top technical inquiries 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 Cadillac Escalade.
An important part of collision repair is set up, measuring, and pulling on vehicles. Many technicians are either not comfortable with these steps, or simply don't know how to do it. Going hand-in-hand with this topic is repair tolerances, what is acceptable and what isn't. Repairer Driven News (RDN) has published several articles that helps to shed light on these topics.
Normally the quality of a collision repair technician can be measured by whether or not you can tell they were ever there. Meaning that the damaged vehicle was returned to pre-collision condition. You shouldn’t be able to see welds, mismatched paint, or parts that don’t fit. We want to hide the fact that someone was there. However, sometimes the OEM does not make that possible.
After watching the latest I-CAR 360 video, see below, on the 2018 New Bright R/C Ram, you may have some questions about the Unique Proprietary On-Board Wheel Alignment System (UPOBWAS) found on the vehicle. This article is designed to explain the system's simple operation and cover collision repair considerations.
Hyundai released two position statements this week relating to collision repair. Let’s take a look at what these statements are about.
You may have heard or seen some of the new features available for towing trailers. Some of the features include, trailer back-up assist and blind spot monitoring for trailers. These features can cause complications when it comes to collision repairs. Let’s take a look at how these systems can affect repairs.
One of the top technical inquiries 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 Crosstrek.
The word calibration is thrown around a lot in the collision industry today, but what does it actually mean to calibrate something? How does "calibrate" fit into other words that we use to describe similar processes, and what are some of the differences?
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. We recently noticed that some of the Mazda body repair manuals (BRM) were missing for certain model years. We reached out to Mazda for clarification.
One of the top technical inquiries 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 Acura TLX.
As the industry continues to ask if pre- and post-repair system scanning is necessary, Toyota/Lexus/Scion provides their answer.
Are you wondering if a particular OEM or organization has a published statement on pre-repair and post-repair scanning? We have compiled a list of most of the statements on the subject, so you can...
Since advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), scanning, and calibration first started becoming relevant, members of the collision repair industry have required as much knowledge as possible on...
BMW has released a position statement related to pre- and post-repair system scanning. The statement applies to All vehicles equipped with on board diagnostics II (OBD II).
Honda /Acura has updated their position statement on pre- and post-repair scanning to give more clarification on what is expected for scanning.
The I-CAR best practice article, Recycled Outer Quarter Panels w/Rolled Hem Flanges has gotten a lot of interest from the collision repair industry. It’s important to know which vehicles are...
As the industry continues to ask, are pre- and post-repair scans necessary, General Motors provides their answer.
Over the past few months, we've been sharing OEM position statements on restraints wiring repairs. Now we're bringing them all together in one place for easy reference.
FCA/Stellantis has released a position statement related to pre- and post-repair system scanning.
Technicians should be aware of what’s required to keep advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) running safely after a collision. Whether that be aiming a camera, which can cause a system to not...
As 2026 rolls in, we can reflect back on what the previous year had to offer. Let's take a look at some of the collision industry information you've been most interested in from this past year....
Have you had the experience where the vehicle notified the owner that it was being moved while it was in your repair facility? App-based connected services are available from many vehicle makers and may...
The intermingling of technology and automobiles continues, with digital key offerings from most vehicle makers. Digital keys utilize smartphone technology to expand vehicle access and owner...
Nissan/INFINITI released position statements on the use of salvaged, aftermarket, and "secondary-market" advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) components.
I-CAR had a discussion on the Repairability Technical Support (RTS) 2025 year in review.
Ford has released the fourth installment of their On Target publication for 2025.
Ask I-CAR receives many technical inquiries referring to sectioning. The collision repair industry wants to know where can you section, does the OEM have a sectioning procedure, and where can I find the...
While looking at repair procedures in a body repair manual (BRM) you may notice that symbols are used to indicate specific operations or parts to be used during the repair process. Most BRMs provide a...
While looking at repair procedures in a body repair manual (BRM) you may notice that symbols are used to indicate specific operations or parts to be used during the repair process. Most BRMs provide a...
Have you had an experience where the vehicle notified the owner that it was being moved while it was in your repair facility? App-based connected services are available from many vehicle makers and...
