I completely agree with you

 

If getting an alignment look around for a shop that uses a good machine such as Hunter Hawkeye Elite or John Bean (Snap-on).

 

There is a feature in the alignment console to calibrate the steering angle sensor after final alignment adjustments are made.

I never used that feature; most wheel alignment adjustments are so minor that steering angle sensor calibration is unnecessary. If I replace damaged parts prior to performing the alignment, I use TechStream to erase faults and perform calibration after performing the alignment.

BTW; I was required to print alignment results and deliver them to the service writers, there is no additional charge for use of the printer.

 

Lex...I do not automatically do alignments, either. I don't change tire sizes. If the last set of tires wore evenly, I will use a few measuring tools to check toe, and camber. I check out the car's ability to travel in a straight line, with cruise set at 70, and for the steering wheel to return to center after cornering. It's not going to be perfect, and I don't expect it to be. In the last 30 years, on 7 different cars and maybe 8 sets of new tires, I have had 2 alignments done. I have never seen uneven wear on the tires.

I am NOT saying that there is no need to do an alignment. I am just saying that I don't automatically do one with every new set of tires.

 

Thank you all for your input. For about $100 I’ll get it done. If they try to upscale me on some computer setting they need to do, I’ll leave. I do expect them to give me for free a report before/after.

 

We learn from our experience in life and some experiences scar you enough that you think twice before taking the step.

To be specific, it has been many years and many vehicles ago that I wanted confirmation that the alignment is correct. Lot of things have advanced but some are still the same. The tech is supposed to straighten the steering wheel and hang a device which has a level. My tech had the wheel slightly crooked. He did some tweaking but when I drove off the steering was crooked as the vehicle drove straight. They fixed it the second time.
Learning: If someone touches something, a good thing can go bad.

In the bigger picture, it was one off, but many times people go in for a medical test and false positive are a real outcome with devastating consequences.

Salim

 

Apparently, it's different for every shop, but where I worked, I personally did a test drive to make sure the steering wheel was level. If not, you need to adjust it again.

p.s. I remembered my father's favorite saying: "Don't interfere with the machine."
I generally agree, but it's not always applicable.