Collision Repair News

Your job requires that you keep on top of the latest in vehicle, tool, and equipment technology – I-CAR is committed to helping you do so in one convenient place. We regularly publish new articles highlighting the latest and greatest collision repair information.

So check back often and follow us on X @Ask_ICAR to ensure you’re equipped with the most up-to-date collision repair technical information available in the industry.


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Collision Repair Industry News

I-CAR's Repairability Technical Support Portal Fields 10,000th Inquiry

Posted on 15 March 2017

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., March 13, 2017 –I-CAR launched the Repairability Technical Support™ (RTS) Portal in July 2014 to enhance the overall repair process for the collision repair inter-industry. The online portal puts the most up-to-date collision repair technical information at the fingertips of front-line technicians, shop owners, estimators, insurance specialists and field educators in one, easy-to-navigate hub.

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BMW/Mini New Repair Site

Posted on 14 March 2017

If you have used the BMW/Mini repair information website since the first of the year, you may have noticed a message. This message was stating the BMW/Mini was transitioning from WebISTA to AIR for the delivery platform to find repair information. WebISTA has been removed from the BMW site as of March 1st. Let’s check out the new AIR platform and how to navigate it.

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Locating ADAS Information: Volvo

Posted on 09 March 2017

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.

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OEM Linking Pin: Nissan Blind Spot Warning Clarification

Posted on 08 March 2017

We recently posted a position statement from Nissan regarding bumper repairs on vehicles equipped with Blind Spot Warning System. There was some uncertainty around some of the wording, so we reached out to Nissan to get some clarification on what the statement meant. Let’s take a look at what we found out.

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Weld-Through Primer Guidelines: Volkswagen

Posted on 07 March 2017

Weld-through primers are generally a zinc-based product that are applied to the mating surfaces prior to welding. Corroding zinc forms zinc oxide which protects the steel. This is called sacrificial corrosion. For a quality weld to be made it’s required that the weld-through primer be removed from the direct weld zone before welding the joint when GMA welding. Many OEMs have a position on when and how to use weld-through primer or when it shouldn’t be utilized. Let’s see what Volkswagen recommends and where this information can be found.

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ETI Position Statement: Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning

Posted on 07 March 2017

Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) released their position statement today on Pre- and Post-Repair System scanning. Per their statement, ETI agrees with the stance that many vehicle makers have taken with requiring a pre- and post-repair system scanning as part of the collision repair process. Let’s see what ETI have to say.

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2016 RTS Enhancements

Posted on 24 February 2017

The collision repair industry is ever-changing. In an average year, there are over a hundred new models, face-lifts, and redesigns. With all of these changes, it can be difficult to keep up with all the makes, models, and new technologies. Luckily, I-CAR’s RTS team is dedicated to keeping track of these changes and locating where to find this new information. In 2016 we have added several features and improvements to the RTS portal to make this this ever-changing information easier to find. Let’s take a look.

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Weld-Through Primer Guidelines: Mazda

Posted on 22 February 2017

Weld-through primers are generally a zinc-based product that are applied to the mating surfaces prior to welding. Corroding zinc forms zinc oxide which protects the steel. This is called sacrificial corrosion. For a quality weld to be made it’s required that the weld-through primer be removed from the direct weld zone before welding the joint when GMA welding. Many OEMs have a position on when and how to use weld-through primer or when it shouldn’t be utilized. Let’s see what Mazda recommends and where this information can be found.

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Battery Disconnect Considerations

Posted on 21 February 2017

When a damaged vehicle enters a collision repair facility, many times the repairs require the battery to be disconnected. Operations such as welding, SRS repairs, engine work, and body panels being open for extended periods of time, can all require that the battery be disconnected. At one time the radio presets would be written down before the battery was disconnected and programmed after the battery was reconnected. However, today many OEMs have special precautions or steps that need to be taken when disconnecting the battery. Let’s take a look at what some OEMs require when disconnecting the battery.

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Weld-Through Primer Guidelines: Toyota/Lexus/Scion

Posted on 17 February 2017

Weld-through primers are generally a zinc-based product that are applied to the mating surfaces prior to welding. Corroding zinc forms zinc oxide which protects the steel. This is called sacrificial corrosion. For a quality weld to be made it’s required that the weld-through primer be removed from the direct weld zone before welding the joint when GMA welding. Many OEMs have a position on when and how to use weld-through primer or when it shouldn’t be utilized. Let’s see what Toyota/Lexus/Scion recommends and where this information can be found.

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