Alignment

Powered by high definition cameras, powerful software, and the most comprehensive vehicle information database, the Hawkeye Elite allows our certified mechanic team to quickly and accurately assess your vehicle’s alignment manufacturer specification and provide you with detailed information and results. In addition, the Hawkeye Elite’s target sensors are designed so that they never come into contact with your rims, allowing you to breathe easily with the knowledge that they’re safe from damage.

The HawkEye Features…

• It’s the most technologically advanced alignment system in existence.
• Quicker assessment of vehicle needs and more accurate.
• It instantly recalls Original Equipment specifications and vehicle specific alignment procedures.
• Steering system reset, as required on newer vehicles.
• Specialist software to calculate completely accurate readings.
• Revolutionary patented integrated adaptor and target design.
• Newly redesigned Hunter high-res digital cameras.

It’s often referred to simply as a “alignment” or “wheel alignment,” it’s really complex suspension angles that are being measured and a variety of suspension components that are being adjusted. This makes an alignment an important suspension-tuning tool that influences the operation of your vehicle’s tires.

How does it work?

The integrated targets are firmly fixed to the face of the wheel using QuickGrip™ adaptors which feature spring-loaded arms to grip the tire, thus avoiding any metal-to-metal contact and potential rim damage, plus are super quick to attach.  It uses four high-resolution cameras to measure the position and orientation of targets mounted on each wheel of your car. Then it uses this information to calculate your car’s current alignment measurements thus compares these measurements to the car manufacturers (OEM) alignment specifications. If your car’s wheel alignment is outside factory specifications, the aligner provides the technician with exact information needed to make proper adjustments.

Here’s how it works…

If you’re wondering whether your car needs an alignment, first look at your tires. Uneven tire wear often, more wear on the outside of some tires — is a prime indicator that your car is likely out of alignment. Here are a few more indicators:

• your car seems to be pulling to one side, even when you think you’re driving straight
• your steering wheel vibrates
• you are driving straight, but your steering wheel isn’t centered
• you let go of your steering wheel and car goes right or left on its own

If none of these indicators occurs but it’s been a while since your last alignment, check your owner’s manual to see how often the manufacturer recommends having this service or simply bring it in to ADVANCED AUTO DIAGNOSTICS and we will be more than happy to conduct an alignment check to give you your current measurements at no cost.

An out-of-alignment car is a common result of everyday driving in Miami’s bumpy roads. But the term alignment doesn’t really refer to your car’s wheels but rather to the suspension. As part of normal driving, parts of your car’s suspension may become worn, and springs can be stretched out. Even a small accident or bumping a curb can disrupt your suspension, knocking some of the highly calibrated components off-kilter, making your wheels sit at improper angles. An alignment restores these angles to their correct measurements, making sure that your wheels sit straight.

The most visible benefit of an alignment is less tire wear. And when tires do wear down, they’ll do so evenly on a properly aligned suspension. Tires can be quite expensive — easily $100 or more per tire — whereas an alignment often costs $90 to $110, making it a cost-effective procedure that should be part of regular car maintenance.

An alignment will ensure that your car drives straight and handles properly, making your driving experience that much more secure. You’ll also get better gas mileage because your tires will be properly aligned with the road, decreasing resistance.

What happens during an alignment?

A car alignment at ADVANCED AUTO DIAGNOSTICS is actually an elaborate process that brings the car’s suspension into its proper configuration, positioning and adjusting components so that wheels are aligned with one another and the road surface. Our certified technicians will also take this opportunity to make sure that no suspension components are excessively worn or broken.

An alignment essentially requires squaring a car’s wheels and axles with each other so that they’re moving in the same direction. Our certified technicians adjust the various suspension angles — known as toe, thrust, camber and caster — that influence tire movement and position. The technician will also ensure that the steering wheel is centered.

Each automotive manufacturer designates standard angles for the alignment, specified in degrees. If you’re a driver of a high-performance car or sports car, At ADVANCED AUTO DIAGNOSTICS we may be able to custom align your suspension to improve handling and tire performance, but such an alignment still may lead to uneven tire wear. These specialized alignment are done upon request as they are not in full ordinance to manufacturer requirements.

The type of alignment you receive will depend on your car’s suspension. A four-wheel alignment is reserved for all-wheel drive vehicles or front-wheel drive vehicles with independent or adjustable rear suspensions. In this case, both axles have to be properly aligned so that all four wheels align in a rectangle, parallel to one another and perpendicular to the ground.

If you don’t have a four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle, your car will likely only require a front-end alignment, in which only the front-axle components are adjusted, or a thrust-angle alignment. Thrust angle refers to the angle that a car’s rear wheels point relative to the car’s center. In such an alignment, the rear wheels and axle are realigned so as to be parallel with the front axle and perpendicular to the centerline of the car.

After the alignment is complete, it’s appropriate to ask for a printout — which Advanced Auto Diagnostics will be more than happy to provide. This shows before and after images of the suspension alignment.

As a true “one stop shop” we couldn’t forget about the importance of having the proper alignment equipment. Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with Hunter Engineering’s latest Hawkeye 4 wheel alignment system with ride height targets to ensure the best possible alignment on all vehicles.

Improper wheel alignment is a major cause of premature tire wear and over time a properly aligned vehicle can add thousands of miles to tire life. Avoid prematurely replacing tires due to adverse wear by performing a complete 4 wheel alignment when needed. Also, a complete 4 wheel alignment can increase gas mileage by decreasing rolling resistance and improve handling by making sure your vehicle travels straight and your steering wheel is centered.

At ADVANCED AUTO DIAGNOSTICS a suspension and steering visual inspection takes place in every alignment we perform, this allows worn parts to be detected before they cause further costly problems. At the end of each alignment service our customers will receive a detailed report of the “before and after” for a better understanding of the changes made.