How Many Vehicles are Misaligned?

How much of the car parc is running on misaligned wheels? A new initiative (‘Alignment Data Collection Day’) led by Pro-Align, the UK’s leading four wheel alignment specialists, is seeking to answer this question. Those involved in wheel alignment claim to have a good idea already, but there is a distinct lack of accurate and current data, which is what led to the research being conducted. The statistics are being collated and will be published on the Pro-Align website from the 1 September.

The key is to ensure a random sample of cars is selected in measured. The easiest option for Pro-Align would have been to ask their Hunter equipment users to supply the data about the motorists who came to them for alignments. However, it was felt these results may not be representative as the car drivers tend to go to an alignment centre because they suspect a problem.

Pro-Align therefore sent out an open invitation to the local community, for motorists to bring their cars in on an Alignment Day for a full four wheel alignment check, in which all 14 primary alignment angles would be measured. To ensure the data gathering process was conducted in line with motor manufacturers specifications and procedures, the day was audited by an independent adjudicator from Continental Tyre Group Ltd. “I was pleased to be appointed as ‘auditor’ for the day, as this research and data is important to the industry” commented Continental’s Craig Sterry.

The Alignment day saw the two Pro-Align alignment bays busy and non stop all day. Each car was taken onto the alignment ramp and given a full pre-alignment check; including tyre pressure measurement and adjustment, a tyre tread depth check and tyre wear assessment. Once the Hunter alignment targets were fitted, run-out compensation was conducted and the vehicle loaded and ride height measured where specified. All 14 primary alignment angles were then measured and results printed. All the participating motorists had the opportunity to see the measurement being carried out on their cars and to ask any questions of the technicians.

“The response was tremendous. There was a true representation of the cars on the road, new through to old, from lowered sports cars to the little run about” commented Craig, adding: “The event was highly organised. The Pro-Align technicians were meticulous in their checks and set up, with the measurements only taking a few minutes on the Hunter HawkEye aligners.”