How to Determine if the Car Body is Aligned Properly?
4 Answers
When the center divider line or edge line of the road in both side mirrors is parallel to the car body, then the car body is in an aligned state. When the front part of the car is perpendicular to the edge of the road, it indicates that the car body is aligned. If in a parking space, check if the front of the car is perpendicular to the reference object ahead.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, judging whether the car body is properly aligned is actually quite simple. After parking, I habitually relax my sitting posture to let my shoulders naturally align with the steering wheel. Checking if the lines on both sides of the parking space in the rearview mirror are symmetrically parallel is a quick method. If the parking space has vertical lines, ensure both the front and rear of the car align with those reference points. When I was a beginner, I often parked crookedly and even had my car door scratched once. Later, I realized that when the steering wheel is straightened, the car naturally aligns itself. Practice a few times in a garage or open space to develop the habit of checking. Properly aligning the car body not only makes it easier to open and close doors to avoid collisions but also reduces tire wear and fuel consumption. I always recommend taking an extra glance in the mirror after parking to ensure safety.
I often drive to and from work, and I found a handy trick to check if the car is properly aligned. The first thing after parking is to make sure the steering wheel is centered, which indicates the car is straight. Then, look out the window to see if distant trees or buildings are in a straight line to confirm the angle is correct. It's also important to use the rearview mirror to check if the tires are parallel to the parking lines. Once, I parked crookedly in a hurry, and my neighbor called me careless—now I always remember this step. Aligning the car properly helps avoid parking tickets for crossing the white lines and makes other drivers feel at ease. My advice is not to rush when parking; practice a few times, and you'll get the hang of it naturally.
When driving normally, there are a few simple ways to check if the car body is aligned properly. After parking, I always check if the steering wheel is centered. I also look to see if the front of the car aligns with reference objects like walls or the rear of the car in front. If the side mirrors show the tires parallel to the lines, the car is basically straight. Before getting out of the car each time, I always take a quick glance at the angle to make sure it's not too off. Aligning the car body properly is important to avoid hitting other cars when opening the door and causing trouble.
