What is a Safety System Alignment?
Performing a 4-wheel alignment is a high-tech process that requires a specialized computer, cameras, and an alignment rack, plus a well-trained mechanic who knows how to use them. Modern vehicles with computers that control things like the steering, braking, and vehicle speed require additional alignment procedures. We not only have to set the camber, caster, and toe like we would in a standard alignment, but we also need to calibrate the onboard cameras, sensors, radar, and lidar that provide data to the computer that helps control the vehicle so that it functions properly. We call this a “Safety Systems Alignment”.
For example, some vehicles have a rear camera that tracks the angle of your steering wheel and displays on the screen the path your vehicle will travel as you go backwards. If the camera is improperly calibrated or if the steering wheel is misaligned, the displayed image will be incorrect, potentially causing a hazardous situation. Additional information is available in this short video, courtesy of Hunter Engineering: