If you just dropped off your Honda or Acura vehicle to one of our 3D Collision Center locations for repairs, here is what you need to know about Honda’s latest position on scanning that will absolutely affect your repair.
First of all, your Honda is most likely equipped with very advanced in-car safety technologies called ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). These used only to be seen in luxury vehicles. Now every car built from 2016 onward has at least a backup camera, electronic stability control and most have lane departure assist, and front collision warning.
Honda insists that all of its vehicles get a diagnostic scan before and after any repairs are made. This is important because not all body shops do this, but we do because we are always educating our technicians on the latest updates in collision repair.
This is important to both you and the technician because Honda makes it known in this position statement that even though your car wouldn’t flash “idiot lights” on the dash, it does not mean that all systems are working properly. You could have damaged components or non-functioning safety equipment, and you would only know this by scanning the vehicle. Honda reserves the dash warning indicators for vehicle information for the driver, and are not designed to alert a technician to a fault code. An example of this could be the airbag control module. In order to catch an airbag control fault code, it may require a scan and not a visual inspection of the warning lights.
Here are Honda’s exact words on scanning:
It is the position of American Honda that all vehicles* involved in a collision† must have the following minimum diagnostic scans, inspections, and/or calibrations done to avoid improper repair:
- A preliminary diagnostic scan during the repair estimation phase to determine what diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may be present, so proper repairs may be included.
- A post-repair diagnostic scan to confirm that no DTCs remain.
- Any repair that requires disconnection of electrical components to perform the repair will need a post-repair diagnostic scan to verify if the component is reconnected correctly and functioning.
- Damage that requires the replacement of body parts will always require a post-repair diagnostic scan.
Honda model years impacted by this position statement
According to Honda, this requirement for before and after repair scanning is true of all Honda and Acura vehicles dating back to 1996 and even some as far back as 1992. Honda also states that some systems will require inspections, calibration, and/or aiming after a collision or other body repairs have been made.
When one of our technicians hooks up a scanner to your car’s diagnostic port, several codes appear to give the technician a vantage point on where to begin the repair. These are known as the Diagnostic Trouble Code, or DTC for short.
Honda’s position on recalibrations:
Honda states that some systems will require inspections, calibration, and/or aiming after a collision or other body repairs have been made. Honda has a list of safety systems and features that must be re-calibrated after collision repairs are made. These include:
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM)
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
- Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
- Blind Spot Information (BSI)
- LaneWatchTM (Honda Only)
- Multi-View Camera System (MVCS – Acura Only)
This means that these systems, in particular, need not only a scan but also a complete recalibration of the systems. This can be a very time-consuming process and may require a trip to the dealer for recalibrations. In cases where this is needed, we’ll be sure to take care of that so you don’t have to. If you see something called “dealer recalibrations” in your estimate, that is what it would be for.
Honda’s rule on what software is used for the scans
Honda went a step further and limited the scanning software that is allowed to scan a vehicle to Honda’s i-HDS software. What this means is that any old scanner will not work and it is one more investment a shop needs to make, or risks putting their customer’s lives at risk by not being able to pull up a hidden trouble code.
So, what does all this mean for Palmdale Honda owners, specifically?
Chances are, you or someone you know drives a Honda, considering it was the best-selling car and light truck model worldwide in 2018. If the Honda has been damaged in a collision, it is really imperative to take it to a shop who is not only certified in Honda repair procedures but also has the right equipment and is staying up to date on all position statements, just like this one.
Honda’s statement about using i-HDs software was released just this month (May). The most knowledgeable repair technicians have already been implementing in these updates to their methods for repairing Honda’s. You want to take your Honda to be repaired somewhere that follows OEM procedures and is up to date on everything that has to do with the vehicle you drive. All of our technicians are I-CAR certified and we can even provide you with a free estimate!
Where you can find us:
We have 7 different locations in the great state of Pennsylvania. We are in Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester Counties. Feel free to call us at (877)-692-7776 to schedule your appointment or free estimate at any of our locations.
For a copy of Honda’s 2019 position statement on scanning, click here.
Need some Honda collision repair? Want the direct number of our 7 different locations? Click here for our contact us page. We look forward to serving you at one of our locations!
