Originally Posted by RickObe

Here's what I don't understand about alignment as it relates to DAP. If the alignment was correct when the vehicle was brand new and the DAP sensors where calibrated for that, when you bring the alignment back to spec, why would the DAP sensors need to be recalibrated? They should still be calibrated for the correct alignment, which is where you will be when the alignment process is done. Doesn't make sense to me. What am I missing?

Originally Posted by Jim Jistel

I think the answer lies in the fact that changing alignment alters the thrust angle of the vehicle. You'll have to Google thrust angle for a full explanation but it essentially defines where the vehicle is pointed with respect to the center lines of the axles. The cameras need to look in this direction hence the need to realign them along with the wheels. If there was only one perfect alignment the factory wouldn't provide adjustments. My .02.

Originally Posted by superswiss

Find out what they are proposing to do for $450. I'm guessing they want to at least charge you for aligning the DAP sensors, but insist on only doing a mechanical alignment. If the alignment is brought back to factory spec and you don't have any aftermarket suspension modifications and the sensors themselves weren't knocked out of alignment, then a normal mechanical alignment is all you need in my experience. I don't have a Q7, but I have an RS5 with DAP. Granted, I only have the side assist and front radar sensors, but still. I just had a mechanical alignment done not too long ago and it was like $140 at the dealership. I did have bad experiences outside the dealership. My wife's car was aligned at Big-O-Tires after a minor collision and it drove like crap afterwards. Had to have it redone at my indy shop. But the same indy shop struggled in the past aligning my RS5. One thing that needs to be done after an alignment is resetting the steering. My indy shop tried to do that with a laptop and vagcom, but I'm guess they didn't do it right. I have the optional Dynamic Steering. The car never drove quite right after the alignment, so I had the dealership redo it and that fixed everything. Since then, I only take my RS5 to the dealership for alignment and as I said so far no DAP sensor alignment was ever necessary. I would just do the mechanical alignment and then if you are having any issues with DAP, then you can take it back and get the sensors alignment. Chances are everything will be fine after the mechanical alignment.