Ford has issued a number of positioning statements which we will publish over the next few weeks.
The company says that as technology and manufacturing processes evolve there is an ever-increasing reliance on repair procedures and information from OEMs to ensure vehicles are returned to pre-accident condition. Many insurance companies will not authorise and/or pay for repairs if OEM guidelines have not been followed. However, due to the unique nature of the collision industry and each repair being unique, not every scenario can be managed through a repair procedure. Ford Australia has taken the initiative of writing position statements to assist in removing ambiguity and guide the industry on best repair practises.
Position statements cover the following topics:
- Bumper Fascia Repair With ADAS
- Clearcoat Blending
- Pre and Post Scanning
- Remanufacturing or Refinishing of Road Wheels
- Structural Repairs
- Use of Non-OEM Glass on Ford Motor Vehicles
- Use of Non-OEM Parts
Pre- and Post-Diagnostic Scanning During a Collision Repair
Ford Motor Company vehicles contain many state-of-the art features that provide occupant safety and enhance the driving experience. During collision repairs, it is critical the proper function of these systems and features be restored back to pre-accident condition and performance.
All Ford Motor Company vehicles from and including model year 2010 forward involved in a collision require a pre-repair diagnostic scan during the estimation phase of a collision repair to assist in properly identifying all required repairs. During the repair process, certain modules and other system components may require calibration or initialization to properly complete the repair. Additionally, the vehicle requires a post-repair diagnostic scan completed after the vehicle has been repaired to verify that new faults have not been introduced during the repair and to verify that the vehicle has been fully repaired. The following points show why a diagnostic scan is crucial to the proper repair of the vehicle:
- Preliminary diagnostic scans provide a baseline to the condition of the systems on the vehicle, and what concerns may need to be addressed during the vehicle repair plan development.
- Not every malfunction will illuminate a malfunction warning light (MIL) or message centre warning.
- A system may require a certain number of drive or function cycles in order to set a warning light or manifest a concern.
- Low battery voltage may allow for numerous Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to set.
It is important to utilise Ford repair procedures for all collision repairs to ensure quality results. Ford also recommends the use of the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) or Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) to perform all vehicle diagnostic testing, module programming, and system calibrations during collision repairs.
Ford Motor Company vehicles are designed and built to provide optimum fit, function, safety and structural integrity. Ford Motor Company does not approve the use of third-party replacement parts. The quality, performance and safety of these parts cannot be verified and may result in substandard repairs, which can inhibit proper vehicle function and cause erroneous DTCs. Only by using Ford original equipment collision parts can you be assured of the part’s fit, finish, quality and safety.