Database Enhancement Gateway allows repairers and insurers to make inquiries and recommendations to estimation providers at no cost, and provides repairers with weekly tips on Audatex, Mitchell and CCC programs online and through the Collision Repair Professionals Association’s email list.
If you haven’t used the free service before to submit a question about estimated collision repair work, or just browse responses to other carrier and store questions, check it out.This is a great way to find information provider best practices and help write the most accurate estimates or assessments.
We missed a month with all the madness of COVID-19, but we’re back with a monthly roundup of areas that DEG thinks are worth tipping.To receive tips as soon as they are posted by DEG, please like/follow DEG’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.(It also posts videos to its YouTube channel from time to time.) Or just browse the database of over 16,000 queries and responses to see what else you can learn.
According to DEG, some OEMs may need to inspect components such as the steering column after a crash, but this operation may not be included in estimating system hours.
“Some OEM procedures may require the steering column to be removed from the vehicle for measurement and inspection,” DEG wrote in a March 23 tweet. This process may not be included in the published R/I times.Please refer to OEM information on disassembly, measurement and single-use hardware.”
“Many automakers use collapsible steering columns to absorb the energy created by the impact of a crash,” states the “Special Precautions” section of CCC P-pages.“These posts should be checked for proper length, bonding and deformation, and other specific considerations. Failure to do so may prevent proper operation of the steering column and/or airbag deployment. MOTOR recommends inspection and replacement of these components in accordance with the automaker’s guidelines. ”
“Aligning, straightening or verifying the dimensional accuracy of related parts” is a general list of operations not covered by CCC.The IP also states that if an operation is not included in its specific inclusion/exclusion list, then “unless specified in a footnote, they were not considered in the development of the estimated work time for this program”.
The DEG highlighted the CCC’s “Special Considerations” text and Mitchell and Audatex’s statements in its tips.
“Audatex labor allowance did not provide time for steering column (GN 0707) inspection,” Audatex wrote in DEG’s inquiry on the 2018 Subaru Forester on March 9.”Audatex labor allowance provides time for the R&I steering column (GN 0707) and the components installed on it (if applicable). No changes are necessary at this time.”
“Subaru and many other oe’s require a steering column inspection,” wrote the DEG user.”Does Audatex have any position on checking/diagnosing the steering column? Is this step included in any Audatex operation?”
“Does Mitchell have any comments on Chevrolet or any other OEM steering column inspections that might need to be checked?” user wrote about the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado.”Does Mitchell do a Time Study of Steering Column Inspections for any OEMs?”
“Mitchell did not establish or publish labor allowances for steering column inspections,” Mitchell replied.”Refer to Airbag/SRS Assembly Inspection and Replacement Chart.”
DEG reminded collision repair crews in a March 18 tweet that sanitizing work areas for COVID-19 is not included in estimated service labor hours.
“Amid this Covid-19 Corona virus, we urge all professionals providing services to exercise caution when working in public spaces,” advises DEG.”Follow all CDC recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting work areas.
“Due to the extra precautions taken, we would like to remind technicians and businesses that any additional labor/costs required to create a safe and sanitized workspace do not count towards the published database hours. This requires an on-site assessment. Please consult with you managers, owners, and local and county health officials on what steps to take to create a safe and clean work environment to prevent the spread of this virus.”
This may include additional personal protective equipment, vehicle surface protection and disinfection of touched surfaces, DEG said.
State Farm and Nationwide said they will pay for 1.0 hours of labor and $25 in cumulative materials to cover the cost of cleaning and sanitizing before and after repairs.
Last week’s SCRS webinar on cleaning and disinfecting vehicles advised maintenance personnel not to deviate from proven instructions to adequately disinfect surfaces.Basically, the disinfectant manufacturer’s “OEM procedure” should be followed when trying to reduce the risk of a vehicle contracting the COVID-19 coronavirus.
In the webinar, remediation experts Kris Rzesnoski and Norris Gearhart suggested airflow to reduce potential viral load and remove soil such as dirt or food debris from vehicles.
When asked if the ideal process would be to clean the vehicle on a pit stop, follow precautions during repairs, and then clean the vehicle again before delivery, Rzesnoski referred to these as “three phases.”
If you have diluted the viral load, sanitized surfaces, and possibly stopped the vehicle before handing it over to the technician, the technician may not need PPE to work on the vehicle.He said it had become a “cleaner car” rather than a “street car”.
In a March 3 tweet, DEG wrote that CCC labor hours may only count for operations performed after maintenance crews have already removed overlapping parts.
It said this information would be found in the CCC footnotes, such as the IP statement on the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder front and lower rail replacement parts “after the upper rail and all necessary bolting parts have been removed”.
According to DEG, Nissan’s front lower frame rail procedure instructs shops to remove the hood ledge first.
“If maintenance personnel choose to leave an overlapping/adjacent component in place and work around that component, any additional repair and/or replacement work will require an on-site assessment,” DEG wrote in a note.
Mitchell also won’t start timing until those components are removed, DEG explained.
“The timing of certain operations applies after the necessary bolts, connections or associated parts have been removed,” the information provider’s P page states.
According to DEG, labor related to the preparation or primer of plastic parts other than bumpers may need to be entered manually using your estimated service formula.
“All three databases identify raw plastic prepared/unprimed plastic parts, which may require additional labor to prepare and/or fill plastic parts prior to refinishing,” DEG wrote in a March 9 tweet. The automatic calculation of this formula captures only the front and rear bumpers.
“Other components such as rockers, mirror caps or other components. Plastic parts that require additional labor need to be entered manually using the formula provided in GTE/CEG/page 143 Section 4-4 DBRM.”
According to DEG, Audatex’s original, unprimed plastic part formulation requires 20% of the base repair time.
DEG says the formulation of CCC is up to 1 hour and involves 25% of the base repair time of the component.
This time, according to DEG, the removal of mold release agents, adhesion promoters and any necessary masking will be included in each manufacturing process, but will not include material costs or repairing surface defects.
Mitchell also uses 20 percent of the refinish time for original or unprimed bumpers, DEG said.According to DEG, this includes passes to wash the vehicle with cleaners, plastic cleaners/alcohol and other solvents.The formulation also includes applying adhesion promoters and cleaning equipment, DEG said.
Questions about AudaExplore, Mitchell or CCC?Submit an inquiry to DEG here.Queries, like answers, are free.
2019 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ interior shown.The 2020 Silverado LTZ is the same.(Courtesy of Chevrolet/Copyright General Motors)
The Centers for Disease Control recommends the use of sanitizing products from the EPA’s “List N”.(martinedoucet/iStock)
Post time: Jun-21-2022