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 Lexus RX 350.

When repairing a vehicle, there are several questions that always need to be answered before and during the repair process. Things like what parts can be straightened, can heat be used to straighten, what type of sectioning joint should be used, and precautions for welding are a few of the important questions. To aid in answering these questions Toyota/Lexus has a document that provides answers.

The automotive glass industry had reached out to the Repairability Technical Support (RTS) team previously with questions on OEM glass replacement requirements. This led to the OEM Glass Replacement articles, which are available for free on the RTS Portal. Recently, the team was contacted again asking for clarification on when calibration is required, specifically with a windshield replacement.

Ford and Lincoln updated their position statements. The updated position statements are available on the RTS portal under the OEM Information tab. Let’s take a look at what’s changed.

When it comes to repair information, vehicle makers use a wide variety of terminology for replacement parts. All of the different names can be confusing, especially when repairing a variety of vehicle makes and models. When searching for repair procedures, knowing what to look for can save valuable time. Recently the Ask I-CAR team was asked, is there is a procedure for the roof molding bolts on a Subaru?

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 Lincoln MKZ.

Mazda, as with many other OEMs, has issued a pre- and post-repair scanning position statement. Let’s take a look at this position statement.

The disconnecting and reconnecting (D&R) a battery is not as simple as it once may have been. An article recently published by Repairer Driven News (RDN) touches on the subject of battery D&R, specifically from Toyota. So, what does a repair technician need to know for battery D&R on Toyota vehicles?

I-CAR launched its Repairability Technical Support (RTS) Portal in 2014 in response to the industry's need for a tool that could provide better, faster access to information for repairing today's vehicles. The RTS initiative includes the Ask I-CAR feature. This is where you are able to submit collision repair questions. But what happens when a procedure or answer to your question isn't readily available in the OEM information?

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 constructed with a quarter panel rolled hem flange. The RTS Team is working to help you quickly identify if the vehicle you are repairing is constructed with a rolled hem flange. Starting with 2015 model year, when you check out the OEM Partial Part Replacement Search to find if procedures exist, you can see if the vehicle has a rolled hem flange.

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 Dodge Grand Caravan.

In a recent Tesla Body Repair Tech Note, Tesla talks about the use of flow form rivets. The document covers when to use flow form rivets, how to choose which rivet to use (along with part numbers), and preparing the panels for installation.

The OEM Restraints System Part Replacement Search has now been updated to include all models through 2017 and some of the 2018 models.

The Repairability Technical Support (RTS) team has put together a series of videos highlighting each area of the RTS portal. These videos are designed to help educate you on the types of information you will find in each area. Let's take a look at the OEM Restraints System Part Replacement search page.

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, "Does the steering column require inspection after any type of collision, regardless if the airbag deployed?" We reached out to Subaru for clarification.