Subaru Certified

BODY SHOP

Many a night I saw the Pleiads,
rising thro’ the mellow shade,
Glitter like a swarm of fire-flies
tangled in a silver braid.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson (‘Locksley Hall’)

Tennyson’s “Pleiads” – better known as The Pleiades — refers to a prominent star cluster visible from almost anywhere on Earth and known to all cultures throughout history, because they stand out so brightly in the night sky. Their automotive namesake Subaru (which means “Pleiades” in Japanese) also stands out, for reasons that set this brand apart from all other car makes and models.

A: The name Subaru is a Japanese word meaning “gathered together” or “united,” in reference to the five companies that merged to form Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), the forerunner of the Subaru Corporation conglomerate. Thus, the large star of the logo represents FHI, while the five smaller stars represent its conglomerate entities. “Subaru” is also the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster in the Taurus constellation. In Greek mythology, these stars represent seven divine sisters. One of those seven star-sisters, Merope, is relatively dim and not easily viewed by the naked eye. For that reason, a total of only six stars are depicted in the Subaru logo.

A: EyeSight is a proprietary active-safety system developed by Subaru to monitor traffic movement, optimize cruise control, and warn the driver if he/she sways outside the driver’s lane. The core of the EyeSight system is its set of dual color cameras, which are placed unobtrusively near the rearview mirror and designed to scan the road for unanticipated dangers. These cameras communicate with the on-board computer system which, when needed, can activate the pre-collision braking feature and even apply full braking force in emergency situations, helping you to avoid or reduce frontal impacts. EyeSight has been shown to reduce the rate of rear-end crashes with injuries by up to 85%.

A: In order to apply to become a member of the Subaru Certified Collision Repair Network, an independent non-dealer body shop must first be I-CAR Gold Class Certified (as Keri Coach Works is). The repair network program, administered by Wadsworth International, then ensures that the qualifying collision center passes a rigorous audit and meets all the professional criteria required by the program. This includes acquiring the appropriate tools necessary for proper repairs, showing a record of providing outstanding customer service, following accurate documentation procedures, and using genuine Subaru parts for repairs. In addition, the program mandates ongoing training and education of the body shop’s collision repair technicians as Subaru develops new engineering and safety technologies.

A: The boxer engine (also called a “flat” or “horizontally-opposed” engine) possesses several performance advantages inherent in its design. For one thing, the center of gravity on a boxer engine is much lower to the ground compared to an inline or V design engine, allowing for better lateral acceleration. In addition, thanks to the engine’s lower profile, there are substantial handling benefits, including better turning/cornering capability, decreased roll, and superior grip of the roadway. The primary disadvantage of the flat-engine configuration is that the wide profile makes the engine significantly more difficult to work on than other types. That is just one good reason to rely on the experienced, Subaru-trained technicians of Keri Coach Works to repair your damaged vehicle.

And do they ever stand out. They may not sell the most cars; yet from the beginning Subaru has grown and maintained its popularity among a dedicated core of buyers by marketing toward specific geographical and lifestyle niches, and designing cars with both dependability and personality in mind—in equal parts. Theirs are most definitely cars with “attitude.” Indeed, some have described Subaru as the first truly “artisanal” carmaker. Thus, by staying true to its uniqueness, the company has built what many consider the deepest loyalty in the automotive business.

That uniqueness begins right under the hood, with Subaru’s signature use of a boxer engine in their entire lineup of sedans, SUVs, crossovers, and sports cars. Known for their reliability and superior driving dynamics on the road, boxer engines usually require less service than most other engine types.

A second reason that Subaru stands out from other carmakers is that their symmetrical all-wheel drive system comes standard in virtually all their vehicles. Unlike plain-vanilla all-wheel drive, this proactive system intelligently distributes balance, control, and traction where needed to all four wheels of the vehicle while in motion on curved or slippery roads.

Going hand-in-hand with symmetrical all-wheel drive are the advanced active-safety features that the company builds into their cars. The most notable of these is Subaru EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, which acts like an extra set of eyes on the road and includes:

  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Lane departure and blind spot warning systems
  • Automatic emergency pre-collision braking and throttle management

As if that weren’t enough, they have now introduced a new safety technology called DriverFocus™, which works together with EyeSight to help detect inattentive or drowsy driving behavior and then delivers both visual and auditory alerts to the distracted driver.

As the company likes to say, “There’s safe…and then there’s Subaru Safe.”

It is this emphasis on performance, reliability, and safety that has made Subaru a perennial favorite among both the adventure-minded seeking authentic off-road experiences and family-focused car buyers who just want to get from point A to point B without mishap. Is it any wonder their cars dominate Kelley Blue Book’s “Most Trusted Brand” list and are consistent winners of “Top Safety Pick+” designation from the IIHS?

But no matter how safe or well-engineered, no car on the planet is guaranteed to be 100% immune to the occasional crash, side-swipe, or fender-bender. In that unfortunate event, it is vitally important that you let a Subaru Certified Collision Repair Center return your damaged vehicle to a like-new, defect-free, post-accident condition.

And it starts with parts. Unlike aftermarket alternatives (which can cause the finished product to reveal uneven or misaligned bodylines, creases, gaps, and faulty trims after installation), genuine Subaru collision parts are identical to the ones originally installed on your vehicle from the factory. These perfectly fitted and quality-tested replacement components are guaranteed to restore the original appearance of your vehicle.

As a Subaru-certified Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) body shop, Keri Coach Works uses authorized OEM parts, equipment, and repair procedures to maintain the integrity of your vehicle after an accident so its appearance, resale value, and safety are not compromised after the repair. These requirements are designed not just to return your vehicle to “like new” condition, but to restore it to its original factory specifications.

Our I-CAR Gold Class status gives us access not just to exclusive Subaru training and OEM parts, but also to a substantial list of Subaru-specific collision-related tools that we use to make the necessary repairs. Most importantly, these repairs are not just cosmetic! Because the engineering and design of Subaru cars are different from that of other manufacturers, only a qualified, certified body shop should be trusted to perform the repair correctly.

Nowhere is this fact best illustrated than in the aforementioned Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. At the time the repair is made, your vehicle will be hooked up to a Subaru-specific computer that will clear and accurately recalibrate the EyeSight code components of the car, assuring the continuing safety of you and your family when you take it back on the road.

Finally, here’s yet another way that Subaru sets itself apart from other car companies: their Collision Repair Network program requires that all certified shops perform community service for a 501(c)3 charity, including local ones. Keri Coach Works is more than happy to comply with that requirement!

Accidents may be unpredictable. What is not unpredictable, however, is getting your damaged vehicle reliably repaired at Keri Coach Works. So if your Subaru is ever damaged and requires collision repair, be sure to give us a call. “Returning your Subaru to the way you love” isn’t just Subaru’s motto. It’s ours as well.

To learn more about Subaru’s EyeSight safety technology, see the video below.