CAIA Automotive Repair Techniques & Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a corrosion protection application during collision repair?
- To restore factory rust prevention on bare metal exposed during repairs (Correct answer)
- To improve paint adhesion on undamaged areas
- To add weight and rigidity to replaced panels
- To seal visible rust from the inspector
Correct answer: To restore factory rust prevention on bare metal exposed during repairs
Corrosion protection restores factory-applied coatings removed during repair, preventing premature rust on repaired panels.
Question 2: Which organization publishes the standard procedures that define proper collision repair methods for insurance and shop use?
- I-CAR (Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair) (Correct answer)
- ASE (Automotive Service Excellence)
- NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
- SAE International
Correct answer: I-CAR (Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair)
I-CAR establishes and publishes inter-industry repair procedures and training standards used by both collision repair shops and insurance carriers.
Question 3: A supplement is required during a collision repair estimate. What is the most common reason?
- Hidden damage discovered after disassembly that was not visible during initial inspection (Correct answer)
- The shop charged a higher labor rate than agreed upon
- The customer requested additional work unrelated to the accident
- The original estimate included incorrect part numbers
Correct answer: Hidden damage discovered after disassembly that was not visible during initial inspection
Supplements most commonly arise when disassembly reveals damage hidden beneath exterior panels that could not be seen during the initial appraisal.
Question 4: What does R&I stand for in a collision repair estimate?
- Remove and Install (Correct answer)
- Repair and Inspect
- Replace and Integrate
- Remove and Inspect
Correct answer: Remove and Install
R&I means the part is removed intact, set aside during the repair, and reinstalled afterward without replacement.
Question 5: When replacing an airbag module after deployment, what additional safety system check is required?
- Complete scan and reset of the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) control module (Correct answer)
- Replacement of all seat belts in the vehicle
- Inspection and replacement of the steering wheel only
- Visual check of the dashboard for cracks
Correct answer: Complete scan and reset of the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) control module
After airbag replacement, the SRS control module must be scanned for fault codes and reset to ensure all restraints will function correctly in a future crash.
Question 6: In a collision estimate, what is the difference between 'overlap' and 'included' operations?
- Overlap reduces labor time when tasks share steps; included means the task is part of a primary operation with no separate time (Correct answer)
- Overlap adds time; included subtracts time
- Both terms mean the operation is not billable
- Overlap applies to parts costs; included applies to labor
Correct answer: Overlap reduces labor time when tasks share steps; included means the task is part of a primary operation with no separate time
Overlap means two adjacent repairs share common steps reducing total labor, while included operations are inherently part of another procedure and carry no separate time.
Question 7: A shop claims OEM parts are required for a safety system repair. Which standard best supports this position?
- OEM repair procedures that specify use of genuine parts for structural and safety-related components (Correct answer)
- State insurance regulations requiring lowest-cost parts
- I-CAR recommendations for cosmetic panels only
- ASE certification guidelines for engine repairs
Correct answer: OEM repair procedures that specify use of genuine parts for structural and safety-related components
OEM repair documentation for structural and safety-critical components often specifies genuine parts to ensure proper fit, function, and crash performance.
CAIA Automotive Repair Techniques & Standards 3
What is the purpose of a corrosion protection application during collision repair?