How to Determine if the Car Body is Aligned Properly?
3 Answers
Here are specific methods to determine if the car body is aligned properly: 1. Find the appropriate reference point: During the practice of Subject Two (parking exercises), each student has different heights and body types, leading to varying suitable reference points. Students can observe the instructor's method of finding reference points and communicate with the instructor to find the most suitable one for themselves. After all, during the preparation for parking maneuvers like reversing into a garage, if the reference point is not correctly identified, the car body is prone to misalignment. 2. Learn to use the rearview mirrors: In Subject Two, students often experience "visual discrepancies" when using the rearview mirrors. For example, when adjusting the car body to align after entering the garage, the rearview mirrors may show the car body parallel to the garage lines when it is actually not. During regular practice, students need to constantly observe the images in the rearview mirrors. When the car body appears "wider near and narrower far" in the mirrors, it is roughly aligned. 3. Find reference objects: During the straight-line driving in Subject Three, most cases of vehicle deviation occur due to the lack of suitable reference objects. Students can use the rear of the vehicle ahead, lane lines, fences, or roadside trees as reference objects. During straight-line driving, if the distance between any part of the car body and the reference object changes, the vehicle has already deviated, and the steering wheel should be adjusted slightly to realign the car body. 4. Learn to adjust seating posture and hold the steering wheel correctly: In both Subject Two and Subject Three, students need to maintain a proper seating posture without leaning, as incorrect posture can lead to misjudgment of the car body's alignment. The steering wheel should be held with both hands at the "9 and 3 o'clock" positions. When turning the steering wheel, both hands should not let go and can rotate up to 180 degrees in either direction. While adjusting the direction, continue to observe left and right and make slight adjustments to realign.
To judge whether the car body is straight while driving, I mainly rely on experience and observation. The steering wheel should naturally center itself on straight roads, and your hands shouldn't feel strained; when turning, after returning to center, the position should align straight, indicating the car body is properly aligned. Checking the left and right rearview mirrors is also crucial: the lane lines or roadside markings behind the car should appear symmetrically in the mirrors without noticeable skewing. This method is simple and practical, and it also helps avoid increased tire wear when the car drifts. If the car body isn't straight, prolonged driving can accelerate wear on chassis components and increase driving risks. I recommend everyone develop the habit of checking frequently, especially on highways or in complex road conditions, to ensure stable control. Beginners can try these techniques at low speeds first and will find them easy to master with practice. This not only enhances safety but also saves fuel and money.
It's easier to judge if the car is properly aligned when parking. I prefer using external references like curbs or parking lines—just glance at the mirrors to check if the tires are parallel to the lines. If the rear aligns with the background, you're basically set. Don’t forget to quickly walk around the car after parking: check the distance gaps between the doors and obstacles on both sides. If they’re roughly equal, the car isn’t crooked. This trick is especially useful in tight garages or parking spots to avoid scratches. Practice a few times to get the hang of it—reverse slowly, adjust the front wheels, and feel the slight vibration from gentle throttle input. A properly aligned car drives smoother; otherwise, turning becomes harder, and you might cross lines or lose points. Give it a try—once mastered, it takes just a second or two, making parking effortless.
