Did You CYA? Because Honda Did

This article describes how OE documentation helps to streamline operations once you find the correct approach for a systems based evaluation, driven by severity of damage or area of repair.

Subject Vehicle: 2022 Acura ILX A-Spec

Have you ever wondered what goes behind ensuring the safety of a vehicle after a minor accident? The aftermath of a collision isn't just about visible dents and scratches. The safety mechanisms, especially in modern cars, require re-calibration, and here's how American Honda Motor Company, Inc. leads by example.

Post-Collision Repairs: More Than Meets the Eye

Accidents leave more than just visible marks. It's paramount to restore trust, safety and peace of mind by ensuring operational features in a car return to their original state.

Though the photographs might indicate only cosmetic damage, our ADAS Master Checklist reveals the deeper intricacies of post-collision repair.

Body Shop Repair List:

• Front bumper, grill, emblem
• Rear bumper, reinforcement
• Repair rear body panel

Honda sets a consistent standard for all their vehicles, ensuring comprehensive evaluation and restoration.

Honda’s Blueprint for Safety

Honda's "Aiming Driving Support Systems," released in March 2021, version 6, serves as a foundational guide. It outlines necessary procedures for Honda vehicles, but also provides insights that can be applied to other brands.

OE Research's Crucial Role

Page 5 of Honda's document starts to present a detailed table linking ADAS systems to the specific post-collision checks they need. For our subject vehicle, three key calibrations were necessary:

1. Millimeter Wave Radar Calibration
2. Blind Spot Mounting Area Check
3. Multipurpose Camera Aiming

Honda's rigorous post-collision re-calibration procedures underscore their commitment to vehicular safety. We've observed increased suspension vulnerabilities, especially with the industry's shift towards lightweight materials like aluminum. These issues often surface during post-collision wheel alignments.

Challenges and Recommendations

Lighter materials can mean more susceptibility to damage. During wheel alignments, issues, especially to the suspension, become apparent. It's crucial to prioritize safety and follow OE documentation and cross reference with common practices.??

Some insurance adjusters can be hesitant, further straining the relationship between vehicle owners and repair facilities. Our suggestion here is to stick to safety standards and use common practice along with OE documentation to carefully make each case about a wheel alignment as a “critical first step to ensuring driving safety after a collision.”

Streamlining the ADAS Calibration Process

Honda excels in providing clear guidelines, but there are certain elements not covered in their March 2021 guide, such as:

• Headlight adjustment
• Airbag weight sensor re-calibration
• Seat belt checks

For effective ADAS services, diving into OE Service information is crucial. Here, we illustrate the similarities between LDW Camera and Blind Spot Mounting Area preparations:

Hardware Challenges: A Constant

We encountered a hardware hiccup: The Honda Lane Departure Targets from TEXA were unavailable in the U.S. during calibration. While we had Honda OE targets, positioning them was a slight challenge. We’ll get into how to potentially make the Honda system sturdier at another time.?

In the past, we've had to craft our own targets, like for the 2018 Lexus LX570's 360-degree view front camera.

Conclusion: Safety Beyond the Surface

True vehicle repair isn't just addressing visible damage; it's ensuring that underlying safety mechanisms are fully functional. With resources like Honda's documentation, achieving this safety is more straightforward.

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Written by: Ricardo Da Cruz