Collision repair knowledge base
Plain-English summaries of OEM position statements, I-CAR procedures and the rulings behind them — each one linked back to the document it came from.
497 documents
- Rivian Position Statement: Paintless Dent Repair
I-CAR · January 10, 2025
Rivian's position statement on Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) permits the technique on both steel and aluminum substrates within the limits of the vehicle's Material Matrix. It mandates inspecting the paint with a 30x magnifying glass before and after the repair to check for micro-cracking, which…
- Your 2024 Favorites: Top 20 Sectioning and Partial Part Vehicles
I-CAR · January 9, 2025
This article highlights the top 20 most searched vehicles in I-CAR's OEM Partial Part Replacement Search tool during 2024. It serves as a reference list of the most common vehicles requiring sectioning and partial part replacement information, led by popular models from Honda, Toyota, Ford, and…
- Your 2024 Favorites: Top Articles
I-CAR · January 8, 2025
This article highlights the top 20 most popular I-CAR Repairability Technical Support (RTS) articles of 2024. The most-read topics heavily focus on OEM position statements for pre- and post-repair system scanning, ADAS calibrations, welding techniques, and restraint system wiring repairs.
- Rivian Position Statement: Reconditioned Wheels
I-CAR · January 3, 2025
Rivian does not support or approve the use of reconditioned wheels that have undergone heating, straightening, welding, material removal, reshaping, or re-plating. The OEM only approves minor cosmetic refinishing limited to surface sanding and paint coating replacement, provided the lug nut and…
- I-CAR Repairers Realm: Top 5 I-CAR RTS Linking Pins Of 2024 - Now Available
I-CAR · January 2, 2025
This article highlights the top five OEM 'linking pins' resolved by I-CAR's Repairability Technical Support (RTS) team in 2024. These linking pins address critical repair clarifications, including GM adhesive bonding, Honda blind spot dummy sensors, Nissan/Infiniti panel sectioning, RAM inner…
- Ford On Target 2024: Volume 4
I-CAR · December 20, 2024
The Ford On Target 2024 Volume 4 publication provides critical collision repair updates, including Mustang Mach-E anchor points, electric vehicle safety guidelines, and Ford Escape body and frame construction details. It also introduces the first part of a three-part series on electronic 3D…
- Dressing Steel GMA Welds: UPDATE
I-CAR · December 17, 2024
This article clarifies that dressing a steel GMA plug weld flush with the surface does not significantly reduce its tensile strength, provided the base metal is not thinned. It outlines the proper techniques and tool selections—including angle grinders, cutoff wheels, file belt sanders, and…
- Steel Spot And Plug Weld Nugget Size: Rivian
I-CAR · December 16, 2024
This document outlines Rivian's general requirements for steel spot and plug welding during collision repairs, referencing their Collision Repair - Vehicle General Repair Guidelines. It specifies rules for weld placement, adhesive clearance, and the prohibition of grinding weld nuggets flush…
- Volvo Position Statement: Electric Vehicle (EV) Welding
I-CAR · December 13, 2024
This Volvo position statement outlines critical safety precautions for welding on electric vehicles (EVs), including mandatory disconnection of the 12 V battery and de-energizing the high-voltage (HV) system. It also specifies when HV components or the battery must be removed due to proximity to…
- Rivian Position Statement: Pre- And Post- Repair System Scanning
I-CAR · December 11, 2024
This Rivian position statement mandates that both pre-repair and post-repair system scans must be performed on all vehicles involved in a collision. These scans are necessary to detect hidden damage, module disconnections, or sensor faults that may not be visually apparent, and to verify that…
- What’s A Rivian Shotgun Upright
I-CAR · December 6, 2024
This article clarifies Rivian's proprietary structural part terminology compared to standard industry terms to help technicians locate the correct repair procedures. Specifically, it highlights that Rivian refers to the front upper rail as the 'shotgun upright' and the front lower rail as the…
- I-CAR OEM Technical Information Matrix: What Is It, And How Does It Help? UPDATE
I-CAR · December 5, 2024
This article introduces and explains the utility of the I-CAR OEM Technical Information Matrix, a tool designed to help collision repair professionals quickly identify and access manufacturer-specific repair requirements and technical information.
- I-CAR Repairers Realm: ADAS Training And Tool Requirements For Calibration - Now Available
I-CAR · December 3, 2024
This article highlights an episode of I-CAR Repairers Realm from SEMA 2024 focusing on ADAS training, tool requirements, and calibration. It addresses key topics such as identifying vehicle-specific ADAS systems, the critical role of vehicle preparation, and the acceptable use of aftermarket…
- One-Time-Use Parts And Fasteners: Rivian
I-CAR · November 27, 2024
This article outlines Rivian's requirements for identifying and replacing one-time-use parts and fasteners during collision repairs. It highlights two specific Rivian position statements that mandate the replacement of all SRS fasteners, self-locking or torque-to-yield fasteners, worn/deformed…
- High-Voltage Handling And Storage Considerations: Volvo
I-CAR · November 26, 2024
This article outlines Volvo's strict safety protocols for handling and storing high-voltage (HV) vehicles and batteries post-collision. It details specific outdoor storage safety distances, battery enclosure damage limits, and the requirement that only trained technicians at approved locations…
- Volvo Position Statements Available: UPDATE
I-CAR · November 21, 2024
Volvo has updated and expanded its position statements available on the I-CAR RTS Portal, which now include a revised Scanning and Diagnostic document, Electric Vehicle (EV) Welding guidelines, and EV Battery & Vehicle Handling Post Collision procedures.
- Volvo Position Statement: Scanning And Diagnostics - UPDATE
I-CAR · November 21, 2024
Volvo has updated its position statement to mandate pre-repair scanning before performing any and all work on a vehicle, and post-repair scanning for any work performed. The document outlines specific scenarios requiring these scans, including windshield replacements, bumper removals,…
- Calibration Research Tips: Toyota/Lexus Vehicle Control History Codes
I-CAR · November 12, 2024
This article explains that Toyota and Lexus vehicles may display ADAS error messages on the dashboard without triggering standard Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). Instead, these events are recorded as Vehicle Control History codes (also known as Record of Behavior or RoB codes, typically…
- Day Four: I-CAR Live From The 2024 SEMA Show
I-CAR · November 11, 2024
This article provides a recap of the day four presentations and live interviews from the 2024 SEMA Show, co-hosted by I-CAR and SCRS. The sessions covered critical industry topics including mixed attachment methods, ADAS skills refinement, OEM tooling, and new refinishing equipment.
- Day Three: I-CAR Live From The 2024 SEMA Show
I-CAR · November 8, 2024
This article provides a recap of day three at the 2024 SEMA Show, highlighting collaborative presentations and interviews between I-CAR, SCRS, and industry experts. The sessions covered foundational repair skills, repair planning, paint application technicalities, radar considerations, fiber…
- Day Two: I-CAR Live From The 2024 SEMA Show
I-CAR · November 7, 2024
This article provides a recap of day two of the 2024 SEMA Show, highlighting collaborative presentations and panel discussions between I-CAR, SCRS, and various industry experts. The sessions covered critical collision repair topics including corrosion protection, damage measurement…
- Day One: I-CAR Live From The 2024 SEMA Show
I-CAR · November 6, 2024
This article provides a recap of day one presentations and panel discussions from the 2024 SEMA Show, co-hosted by I-CAR and SCRS. The sessions covered critical industry topics including ADAS calibrations, EV repair readiness, Rivian Gen2 vehicle impacts, Stellantis repair procedures, and…
- I-CAR Repairers Realm: Steering Column Inspection After A Collision - Now Available
I-CAR · November 1, 2024
This I-CAR Repairers Realm episode and associated resources address the critical requirements for steering column inspections following a collision. It covers how to identify potential damage, understand built-in safety features, locate OEM-specific inspection documentation, and make…
- OEM Emergency Response Guide: Polestar
I-CAR · October 31, 2024
This article provides step-by-step instructions on how to access Polestar's free Emergency Response Guides (ERGs) via the Polestar Tech Hub website. These guides offer crucial high-voltage vehicle information, though technicians must still follow official OEM repair procedures and precautions…
- Back-To-Basics: Stationary Glass Installation Considerations
I-CAR · October 30, 2024
This article highlights critical considerations for stationary glass installation, emphasizing that fixed glass panels like windshields, quarter glass, backglass, and roof panels require specific removal and installation techniques. It notes that some glass cannot be reused, interior trim must…
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