Always Follow Vehicle Maker Procedures

We often receive Ask I-CAR inquiries asking: “what does I-CAR recommend?” Many times these questions are in regards to sectioning, straightening, or part replacement/attachment methods. Our first response is always:
“Follow the vehicle maker procedures.”
It is important to note that the procedures provided by the vehicle maker are service specifications, not recommendations. Think of these procedures as no different than service information for transmission or engine repair, where specific procedures must be followed in the proper order.
Following the OEM procedures is the best way to achieve complete, safe, quality repairs. This could include vehicle specific repair information, or general vehicle maker information. Deciding on the best approach may have a few steps:
- First and foremost, always refer to the body repair manual for the year/make/model/part in question and OEM-specific published position statements.
- If the information doesn’t exist, the next step would be to refer to OEM-specific general procedures.
- If there is no vehicle-specific repair information and no OEM published position statement or general procedure, the last step would be to look for I-CAR published best practices. Published I-CAR best practices are inter-industry developed and vetted guidelines.
- If the information doesn’t exist, the next step would be to refer to OEM-specific general procedures.
Let’s look at a couple of scenarios. First, let’s look at sectioning an outer uniside of a 2015 Honda Accord. Honda offers information on complete part replacement of parts of the uniside, but does NOT have a specific sectioning cut location. Does this mean you can’t section the uniside of this vehicle? Not necessarily … according to a Honda Body Repair Manual Welding & Sectioning Guideline Revisions Body Repair News publication. Honda allows for sectioning of outer body panels, provided the part meets all of the guidelines that Honda has included in the document.
So, why not just publish a sectioning procedure? Because Honda cannot account for every type of collision, they allow some leeway for repairs. Additionally, according to the Honda document, while “replacement of steel parts at factory seams and matching the replacement part configuration remain the preferred repair methods…these methods are not always practical nor cost effective in all body repair situations.” Other vehicle makers offer similar positions that don’t always appear in the vehicle-specific body repair manual. Other vehicle makers, however, specifically state that a part should not be sectioned unless a procedure is available. It’s imperative to do thorough research for each vehicle being repaired.
Some position statements call attention to information that has been updated and is retroactive, these types of position statements may be the only place to find the information on older models. Many position statements are meant to call attention to the content that already exists in the service information, or training. Often, position statements give you high-level awareness to make a particular topic better known. You need to access the repair information and training to find out if there are more details behind the position statement. These details will often call out specific parts, special warnings, or explain how parts or systems are designed to operate.
But what if there isn’t a procedure or OEM-specific published position statement or general procedure? Then, and only then, you can look to industry vetted and I-CAR published best practices. In this scenario, let’s look at a repair vs. replace situation for a structural part that we’ve identified as ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS). After researching vehicle- and OEM-specific information, yielding no results, the next step would be to research I-CAR published documentation. Because the damaged part in this scenario is UHSS (over 600 MPa) and there is an inter-industry vetted and I-CAR published best practice that says damage to parts over 600 MPa should NOT be straightened, part replacement would be the only option.
Developing the best repair plan requires thorough research that should always start with the vehicle maker procedures.
Related I-CAR Courses
-
Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning Position Statements
Wednesday, 09 January 2019
Are you wondering if a particular OEM or organization has a published position statement on pre-repair and post-repair scanning? We have compiled a list of most of the position statements…
-
Toyota/Lexus/Scion Position Statement: Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning
Thursday, 28 July 2016
As the industry continues to ask if pre- and post-repair system scanning is necessary, Toyota/Lexus/Scion provides their answer.
-
ADAS, Calibration, And Scanning Article Hotspot
Monday, 14 January 2019
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 these subjects. I-CAR’s…
-
Typical Calibration Requirements For Blind Spot Sensors
Wednesday, 19 October 2016
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…
-
Restraints Wiring Repairs
Monday, 23 May 2016
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.
-
Typical Calibration Requirements For Forward Radar Sensors
Wednesday, 12 October 2016
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…
-
MIG Brazing What Is It, Why Should I Use It?
Monday, 02 June 2014
Why MIG Brazing? It is widely known that GMA welded; fully galvanized steel will lose some of its properties, including corrosion protection, due to the heat created during welding. OEMs…
-
Honda/Acura Position Statement: Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning - UPDATE
Wednesday, 22 May 2019
Honda /Acura have updated their position statement on pre- and post-repair scanning to give more clarification on what is expected for scanning.
-
Typical Calibration Requirements For Park Assist Sensors
Monday, 31 October 2016
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…
-
Mazda I-ELOOP Overview
Monday, 27 January 2014
Beginning model year 2014, Mazda has introduced a regenerative engine braking system called i-ELOOP, short for "Intelligent Energy Loop." In this system, a capacitor is used to store electrical energy…
-
Back-To-Basics: Considerations For Choosing The Right Spraybooth
Friday, 24 March 2023
Sometimes going back-to-basics can make the difference between a quality repair and a failed repair. When it comes to choosing the right spraybooth, there are a few considerations.
-
Hyundai/Genesis Releases Additional Body Repair Manuals: UPDATE
Wednesday, 22 March 2023
Hyundai Motor America has updated their approved body repair manuals (BRMs) available to the United States market. This also includes the new addition of Genesis branded BRMs!
-
I-CAR Repairers Realm: Spray Gun Operation and Maintenance - Coming Soon
Tuesday, 21 March 2023
I-CAR is having a discussion on spray gun operation and maintenance. Tune into Repairers Realm to listen and join in for questions and answers.
-
OEM Emergency Response Guides: Jaguar Land Rover
Friday, 17 March 2023
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…
-
Corrosion Protection Guidelines: Maserati
Thursday, 16 March 2023
A key factor in collision repair is making long-lasting repairs. When a vehicle is repaired, many areas of corrosion protection are disturbed. This creates corrosion hot spots, that left untreated…
-
I-CAR Repairers Realm: Paint Booth And Fresh Air Filtration System Overview - Now Available
Tuesday, 14 March 2023
I-CAR had a discussion on paint booth fresh air filtration systems.
-
Honda Has Released the 2023 HR-V Model Body Repair News
Wednesday, 08 March 2023
Honda has released a Body Repair News bulletin for the 2023 Honda HR-V. This document provides relevant repair information at a glance for this redesigned vehicle.
-
Acura Has Released The 2023 Integra Body Repair News
Wednesday, 08 March 2023
Acura has released a Body Repair News bulletin for the 2023 Acura Integra. This document provides relevant repair information at a glance for this new vehicle.
-
Locating OEM-Approved HV Tools: Mercedes-Benz
Tuesday, 07 March 2023
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…
-
GM Repair Insights: Winter 2023
Friday, 03 March 2023
The winter 2023 edition of the General Motors (GM) Repair Insights magazine is now available.
- 2023
- March 2023 (12)
- February 2023 (10)
- January 2023 (11)
- 2022
- December 2022 (11)
- November 2022 (12)
- October 2022 (11)
- September 2022 (13)
- August 2022 (12)
- July 2022 (11)
- June 2022 (13)
- May 2022 (11)
- April 2022 (12)
- March 2022 (12)
- February 2022 (12)
- January 2022 (13)
- 2021
- December 2021 (15)
- November 2021 (12)
- October 2021 (13)
- September 2021 (15)
- August 2021 (12)
- July 2021 (16)
- June 2021 (17)
- May 2021 (14)
- April 2021 (15)
- March 2021 (21)
- February 2021 (15)
- January 2021 (14)
- 2020
- December 2020 (14)
- November 2020 (17)
- October 2020 (12)
- September 2020 (14)
- August 2020 (12)
- July 2020 (18)
- June 2020 (16)
- May 2020 (14)
- April 2020 (20)
- March 2020 (12)
- February 2020 (14)
- January 2020 (14)
- 2019
- December 2019 (13)
- November 2019 (19)
- October 2019 (25)
- September 2019 (20)
- August 2019 (22)
- July 2019 (23)
- June 2019 (21)
- May 2019 (19)
- April 2019 (21)
- March 2019 (21)
- February 2019 (21)
- January 2019 (18)
- 2018
- December 2018 (19)
- November 2018 (19)
- October 2018 (17)
- September 2018 (16)
- August 2018 (22)
- July 2018 (21)
- June 2018 (21)
- May 2018 (19)
- April 2018 (19)
- March 2018 (22)
- February 2018 (17)
- January 2018 (20)
- 2017
- December 2017 (15)
- November 2017 (15)
- October 2017 (19)
- September 2017 (20)
- August 2017 (21)
- July 2017 (18)
- June 2017 (23)
- May 2017 (20)
- April 2017 (15)
- March 2017 (18)
- February 2017 (11)
- January 2017 (13)
- 2016
- December 2016 (9)
- November 2016 (14)
- October 2016 (21)
- September 2016 (11)
- August 2016 (11)
- July 2016 (8)
- June 2016 (13)
- May 2016 (11)
- April 2016 (11)
- March 2016 (13)
- February 2016 (11)
- January 2016 (9)
- 2015
- December 2015 (10)
- November 2015 (8)
- October 2015 (10)
- September 2015 (7)
- August 2015 (11)
- July 2015 (10)
- June 2015 (8)
- May 2015 (8)
- April 2015 (9)
- March 2015 (8)
- February 2015 (9)
- January 2015 (11)
- 2014
- December 2014 (12)
- November 2014 (7)
- October 2014 (12)
- September 2014 (10)
- August 2014 (9)
- July 2014 (12)
- June 2014 (9)
- May 2014 (14)
- April 2014 (9)
- March 2014 (6)
- February 2014 (1)
- January 2014 (27)