Automotive Repair Techniques & Standards Flashcards
7 cards from real CAIA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Automotive Repair Techniques & Standards flashcards as text
What is the correct procedure when a vehicle equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) has its windshield replaced?
Answer: Perform a camera and sensor calibration according to OEM specifications
ADAS cameras mounted to the windshield must be recalibrated after replacement to ensure lane-keeping, automatic braking, and other systems function correctly.
Which paint system layer is applied directly to bare metal to prevent corrosion before topcoat application?
Answer: Epoxy primer
Epoxy primer is applied directly to bare metal because it bonds tightly and provides excellent corrosion resistance as the foundation layer.
A technician uses a 'slap hammer' (slide hammer) during a collision repair. What is its primary purpose?
Answer: Pulling dents outward from the back side of a panel
A slap hammer uses sliding weight momentum to pull dents outward when access to the rear of a panel is limited.
What is the significance of a 'book time' or 'database time' in collision repair estimating?
Answer: It is the labor time established by estimating systems (like Mitchell or CCC) for a specific repair operation
Book time is the labor time value assigned by estimating database providers for a given repair operation, used as the billing standard across the industry.
When inspecting a repaired vehicle, an adjuster finds uneven panel gaps. What does this most likely indicate?
Answer: Improper panel alignment or incomplete structural repair
Uneven panel gaps indicate the underlying structure was not restored to factory dimensions, causing panels to sit incorrectly.
What is 'blend' time in a paint estimate?
Answer: Labor charged to feather new paint into adjacent panels for a seamless color match
Blend time covers the labor required to spray paint onto adjacent undamaged panels to gradually transition the new color for an invisible repair.
According to most OEM position statements, which components should NEVER be repaired and must always be replaced after a collision?
Answer: Deployed airbags, airbag modules, and seat belt pretensioners
Deployed airbags, SRS modules with stored crash data, and fired seat belt pretensioners are single-use safety devices that cannot be reliably repaired.