Vehicle alignment has always been a critical piece to the repair and safe operation of vehicles. In years gone by, we all experienced a customer that would return after repairs were completed with concerns about the vehicle pulling or not staying centered on the road. Although, this was uncommon because alignment issues were usually found during the repairs.

Today’s vehicles shine a new light on the importance of a vehicle’s alignment. New advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous features rely on alignments following exact OE specifications for the ADAS features to perform correctly. It is not just about going straight down the road anymore; now, the vehicle’s attitude to the road is also a factor.

Is an Alignment Needed?

This brings to light what to do if the repairs do not warrant an alignment. Think about this scenario: A car is traveling across a parking lot slowly. A collision with a pickup truck causes light damage to the front bumper cover and grille. Behind the grille is the radar for the adaptive cruise control. The bracket that holds the radar is bent, requiring replacement. Let’s assume all other aspects of the bumper cover are repairable according to OE parameters. Following all OE repair procedures, it’s noted that a calibration of the radar is required due to the bracket being replaced — which required the radar to be disconnected and removed and installed. The tech reads through the OE prerequisites to do the calibration for the vehicle. These include:
• Fill the fuel tank and all fluid levels to full
• Correct air pressure
• Have the proper tires and wheels for model of vehicle
• Verify the alignment
• Verify the steering wheel angle sensor is correct

There is more I can add, but you get the point — there are required preparations of the vehicle before a calibration. Also, to do the static calibration, there are environmental requirements, such as level floor or weather conditions.

During the calibration, a drive cycle is performed to verify that all systems are operational — it was found that the vehicle is out of alignment so the calibration fails. The alignment issue is not the result of the damage from the collision but, to complete  calibration required for the repairs, an alignment must be done. Who’s responsible for the cost of that alignment? It’s a question that’s coming up across the country. This is not a bent or broken part that’s unrelated prior damage that’s easily pointed out to a vehicle owner; a simple condition of the fact that vehicles can be out of alignment just from daily commutes every day.

Covering the Cost

Let’s look at another scenario: An owner takes a vehicle to a mechanic because tires are wearing unevenly. It needs an alignment. The parts and labor are the responsibility of the vehicle owner, as this is a general maintenance issue. It’s also found that the vehicle will need to be calibrated, since the alignment changed the vehicle’s attitude to the roadway. Now, the calibration must be added to the repair. This cost has increased tremendously for owners of vehicles with ADAS.

We know that vehicle maintenance is a cost the owner must pay, as no insurance claim is involved. However, we’ve all learned that the lines get muddled when a third party is covering the cost. When a third party is involved, the key phrase “repair to pre-loss condition” is all a party is required to pay. Unrelated prior damage or even maintenance issues that have an effect either on the repair itself or the safety of the vehicle have always been a problem in the repair industry. Nobody wants to put a vehicle that is unsafe or dangerous back on the roadway.

Many are having difficulty with high deductibles and procedures not covered by insurance. I know this varies from city to city and from different companies or third parties, but whether it be a bad part, an adjustment or a steering wheel angle sensor procedure, the need for the alignment to be within specifications is more critical than ever. We need to be prepared to have more conversations about customer pay for alignments, calibrations and prerequisites. 

Releasing a vehicle with compromised safety features is not an option shops should take. Not following all the guidelines for a proper calibration will bring on scrutiny that you will not want in the unfortunate event of a crash. Say the alignment was not done or verified to be correct and the customer returns with a drivability complaint. Who will be responsible for the costs now?

Summary

Some good news … the alignment issue has long been a problem in vehicle repair. To verify an alignment, its basically required to actually do the alignment. New tools are capable of doing quick alignment checks. This is valuable to shops doing body, mechanical or glass work. Instead of doing an alignment or setting the vehicle up on an alignment rack, these tools can be used right on the shop floor, saving setup time and labor. 

Educating drivers on the processes and procedures to repair vehicles is a must. What goes into repairing a vehicle is not the same as yesterday … but informing customers of this may ease into who pays for what in this world of auto repair.