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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.
A simple bumper repair on a modern vehicle may not be as simple as it seems. New technologies like blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) utilize sensors behind the bumper covers. The ability for these sensors to be able to see clearly normally requires special caution when considering a bumper repair. Many OEMs have different levels of warnings when it comes to repairing bumper covers with ADAS. So, what does Toyota/Lexus say on the subject?
What is a non-SRS wiring repair? It is the repairing of an electrical component that is not part of the supplemental restraints system circuit (usually identified by yellow wire looms). As technology increases on vehicles, so does the number of components that utilize electricity. Many of the sensors and modules are becoming smarter and more sensitive. If the wire is too long, the wrong gauge, or spliced in the wrong location, it can cause malfunctions in the components that it’s powering. Many OEMs have different restrictions and guidelines for repairing wiring that does not control SRS components. On the other hand, there are OEMs that don’t allow wiring repairs at all, so full harness replacement is the only option.
Are you looking for OEM emergency response guides (ERGs)? The Repairability Technical Support (RTS) team has located these guides and either houses them on the RTS website, provides links to webpages that house them, or provides articles with instructions on how to locate them.
While searching for information on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) on an OEM repair information site, you may come across unique calibration procedures or events. These events can vary by year and model, even within a particular make. As the RTS team has been researching these systems, we have been identifying these atypical circumstances. In order to help you better understand them, we are putting together a series of articles that help with the repair and calibration of ADAS. Let’s take a closer look at Hyundai.
When researching procedures for disabling a high-voltage (HV) vehicle, you may notice that many of the procedures require the use of specific tools. Some of them are OEM-specific tools or scan tools. Often identifying and locating where to purchase these specific tools can be difficult.
Welding is a crucial skill in collision repair. The welding equipment and techniques are dynamic – keeping pace with vehicle technology advancement. I-CAR's Repairability Technical Support (RTS) team continues to be on the leading edge of research and education. Our goal is to help the industry by sharing critical and relevant technical information. A great way to do this is through Collision Repair News articles.
I-CAR had a discussion on the importance of OEM glass replacement.
What is the MPa of the front lower rail? What is the outer uniside made of: steel, aluminum, or composite? Can heat be used to straighten or is it cold straightening only? What are the repair limitations? These are just some of the questions that the RTS team fields on a daily basis.
FCA/Stellantis has updated the position statement that provides the requirements for the use of heat when straightening.
The Energy Security Agency (ESA) offers Risk Analysis services of hybrid and electric vehicles for first responders, towing and recovery professionals, and collision repair facilities. Let’s go into what is offered, when, and how to use this service.
Vehicle makers may group their body repair manuals (BRM) in several different ways. Sometimes the BRMs are grouped by a year range, some are listed as VIN specific, and others are arranged by a body code. Let’s take a look at General Motors (GM) to see how they group their BRMs.
While many have noticed that advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are showing up on vehicles, there still is confusion on what is required of these systems after a collision occurs. The Ask I-CAR team frequently gets questions in regard to calibration of ADAS. Many of these questions can be answered simply by searching the OEM Calibration Requirements Search. However, there are some questions that may need more details than the calibration search provides. Let’s take a look at the 2021 Ford F-150 ADAS.
Repair Driven News (RDN) released an article highlighting a collision repair facility’s experience after a devasting hailstorm.
What is a one-time-use part, and how do you determine if a fastener, clip, or part can be reused? These are questions that we are confronted with in the collision industry quite a lot. The other big question is "Where do I find this information?"
The question is often asked, "Can supplemental restraints system wiring be repaired?" The answer is: it depends on the vehicle maker. Let's take a look at Tesla's position on this subject.
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...
I-CAR has developed courses that provide an overview of collision repair and electromechanical repair for current Volvo vehicles.
Did you notice the A/C refrigerant that is in the 2016 Honda Civic? It's R-1234yf and it’s no typo that Honda is requiring POE compressor oil for this system and not PAG (like other OEMs).
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...
When an accident happens, how will you call for help? Maybe the telematics system, equipped with a backup battery, could automatically do this, even if the main power is cut off. What are the repair...
A simple bumper repair on a modern vehicle may not be as simple as it seems. New technologies like blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)...
I-CAR discussed aluminum corrosion protection with FCA/Stellantis.
Genesis has a position statement relating to pre- and post-repair system scanning.
We often receive the Ask I-CAR inquiry: "Does Audi have a position statement on pre- and post-repair system scanning? Do they plan on coming out with one?"
We often receive the Ask I-CAR inquiry: "Does Volkswagen have a position statement on pre- and post-repair system scanning? Do they plan on coming out with one?"
I-CAR has developed courses that provide an overview of collision repair and electromechanical repair for current VinFast vehicles.