During routine research, we noticed that the Mazda website was missing body repair manuals on their website. After contacting Mazda, they quickly updated their collision repair information website so all the manuals are back online. The updated site includes easier navigation to access the body repair manuals.
Mercedes-Benz is revising the vehicle model naming in 2015. For those that are unfamiliar with the different vehicle names this might be a bit confusing. In a recent press release Mercedes-Benz details some of these changes, so lets take a look at the SUVs.
by Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS)
Prosser, Washington, November 12, 2014 - The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) continues to promote the launch of its Repairability Technical Support (RTS) Portal, an extensive collection of resources available to help provide repair industry members with valuable information, technical support and repair solutions. Located at rts.i-car.com, the Portal offers real-time OEM information and announcements, collision repair articles, technical questions and answers and much, much more.
On the BMW i3 with the carbon fiber passenger cell, the question is often asked, how do we repair damage to the carbon fiber? For that answer BMW presented an overview of the repairs at the 2014 SEMA show. The simple answer is that you cannot repair the passenger cell the way that you would repair a sheet molded compound (SMC) part.
This article originally appereard in Fender Bender.
Nov. 6, 2014—I-CAR has begun an initiative in which it is using real-time information from current technicians in order to provide rigorous, efficient, role-based training that makes sense for today's specialized repair professional, according to an announcement from the Society of Collision Repair Specialists.
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.
This article originally appeared in the November 2014 edition of ABRN.
When friends and family think about the vehicles of yesteryear they often say to me "they don't build them like they used to." I tell them, you have no idea how right you are. Cars today are light years ahead of where they were just a few short years ago. It is no longer vehicles of the future we are discussing, but current vehicles on the road today, and some are being repaired like nothing has changed. With the major changes in vehicle construction, the collision repair industry will need to learn some advanced attachment methods and a new way of thinking. Lets take a look at some advanced attachment methods necessary for repair on vehicles that are on the road today.
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.
FAQ: What tools and equipment do I need to repair the new Ford F-150?
ANSWER: There are a wide variety of options available and you need to asses what will work for your shop.
Recently, I-CAR CEO & President, John Van Alstyne, caught up with John McElroy on Autoline to discuss vehicle light weighting and the "Technical Tsunami" that is happening in automotive industry. The entire episode can be seen on I-CAR's YouTube channel.
Here are a few excerpts from that interview.
In previous I-CAR Collision Repair News articles, we announced the availability of comprehensive collision repair information from Kia.
We've added the 2015 Nismo GRT; Caring For And Repairing Matte Paint Finish service bulletin from Nissan North America that addresses caring for and repairing matte paint finish.
Recently, a collision repair professional called to Ask I-CAR, "How is aluminum dust disposed of after it has been collected in a sparkless motor vacuum?"
Ever hear about the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG)? If you haven’t, it’s a great resource. Let’s face it, sometimes an estimating system doesn't have everything in its database that is needed to write a complete damage report. Sometimes the process to replace a part is not clear; other times it may be simple human error or a computer glitch.
Once people get used to calling something one thing, it's difficult to change it. To be technically accurate, whether it's MIG or MAG depends on the shielding gas.
When GMA (MIG) welding started its rise, it was often referred to simply as MIG welding. While this term is widely known, it's not technically accurate. MIG stands for "Metal Inert Gas" and is accurate when making welds using an inert shielding gas, such as 100% argon when welding aluminum. However, for most collision repairs on steel parts, we use a shielding gas that is 75% argon, 25% carbon dioxide (often called 75/25, or C-25). Because carbon dioxide is an active gas, the correct term would be metal active gas (MAG) welding.
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...
Honda /Acura has updated their position statement on pre- and post-repair scanning to give more clarification on what is expected for scanning.
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).
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.
Nissan/INFINITI updated their position statement on pre- and post-repair scanning. The revised position statement touches on more subjects and gives additional information on the subject.
Repairer Driven News (RDN) released an article featuring an updated Rivian procedure.
In case you missed it, Senior Body Engineer, Jinhui Wang presented at Body Structure Efficiency On D-Segment Crossover Architecture at Great Designs in Steel 2025.
We are often asked, “What do I do if there isn’t a procedure to replace a service part?” Let’s take a look at each vehicle maker and see what they say.
We are often asked, “What do I do if there isn’t a procedure to replace a service part?” Let’s see what Ford/Lincoln says.
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...
Great Designs in Steel (GDIS) 2025 covered multiple topics, many of which were presented by OEM engineers and tier 1 suppliers of body components.
In case you missed it, Rivian staff presented Rivian R1 Body Structure Evolution And Repairability at Great Designs In Steel (GDIS) 2025.
I-CAR is having a discussion on CCC Mobile Jumpstart app.
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...
