How to Tell if the Car Body is Aligned Properly?
2 Answers
There are four methods to determine if the car body is properly aligned: 1. Stand outside the car and observe the body alignment using nearby reference objects. 2. Use the windshield wipers as an indicator by comparing them with road markings. 3. Maintain a fixed distance or angle while driving; any deviation indicates misalignment. Ensure proper sitting posture in the driver's seat and focus your gaze far ahead. 4. Avoid focusing solely on the car's body lines. Instead, look into the distance at traffic lights, the rear of the vehicle ahead, or lane markings to assess if the front of the car is properly aligned.
I used to constantly worry about whether my car was aligned properly while driving, especially when I was just learning to drive and felt nervous. Now I mainly rely on intuition—if the steering wheel is centered and straight, I feel the car is moving straight without any issues, just by keeping an eye on the road markings ahead or using nearby trees as reference points. After parking, I usually check the side mirrors from inside the car to see if the tires are parallel to the curb, or simply rely on the guidelines from the backup camera to gauge the car's angle. If it seems crooked, I step out and walk around to observe if the rear aligns with the parking lines, then make slight adjustments to the wheels. Regular maintenance is important because misaligned wheels can cause premature tire wear, increase fuel consumption, and pose handling risks. Periodic wheel alignment checks help prevent these issues. Overall, practice makes perfect—the more you drive, the more you naturally pick up on those subtle differences.
