Dealer wants $600 to perform ACC Alignment?
06-15-2019, 04:44 AM
#11
So why does my Honda, which also has ACC, lane keeping, auto braking, etc, not require this? I would ask them to tell me, very specifically, which features supposedly would not work and to what degree.
Also, by that argument, you would have to change the camera alignment every time you change tire pressure - and in the winter this can vary hugely just from overnight storage to freeway driving in the sun. It really does smell a bit like BS. The only way to know is to get as much technical detail (preferably from a well-informed but unbiased source) as possible and not just "this is recommended". Sadly, the techs probably only know what they are told to do, not exactly why. Way of the world these days.
Also, by that argument, you would have to change the camera alignment every time you change tire pressure - and in the winter this can vary hugely just from overnight storage to freeway driving in the sun. It really does smell a bit like BS. The only way to know is to get as much technical detail (preferably from a well-informed but unbiased source) as possible and not just "this is recommended". Sadly, the techs probably only know what they are told to do, not exactly why. Way of the world these days.
An approach might be to change tires, drive the car to see how it performs, and then have calibration performed if you feel it is necessary, The risk there is the possibility of missing the performance of a particular DAS safety function. I will bet that systems in the future will have adaptive software/firmware performing the adjustments real-time. I am not speaking to the validity of calibration pricing, but equipment cost is on the order of $15 - $20K.
06-15-2019, 02:49 PM
#12
AudiWorld Member
Thinking about it more. If the camera and wheel alignment were THAT tightly linked, then the system would go haywire if your alignment was off just a little. That does not appear to be case baed on everyday use. In addition, assuming that the calibration was done correctly at the factory, a wheel alignment should bring things BACK in spec. Since the cameras didn't move as the wheel alignment got messed up or realigned, everything should be back in spec and aligned again with just a wheel alignment.
Needing calibration after a windshield replacement is also controversial, but at least I can understand that one since the windshield mounted camera could be off a slight amount with a replacement, but the association with wheel alignment just makes no sense to me.
Needing calibration after a windshield replacement is also controversial, but at least I can understand that one since the windshield mounted camera could be off a slight amount with a replacement, but the association with wheel alignment just makes no sense to me.
06-16-2019, 07:00 AM
#13
I would point out that many people in snowy areas change twice a year from winter tires to summer and back. Why does this not require re-calibration each time? The tires would not only be different but have different wear. I have done this many times this with my Honda and there is no noticeable difference in driver assistance system performance. And what about aftermarket wheels which often include offset differences? Are those folks doing a re calibration?
Not an issue for our upcoming Q7 since we will probably not be putting winter tires on that. The Ridgeline is quite spectacular in winter conditions with studs so will just drive that when conditions are bad - not a large percent of the winter where we live in any case.
Not an issue for our upcoming Q7 since we will probably not be putting winter tires on that. The Ridgeline is quite spectacular in winter conditions with studs so will just drive that when conditions are bad - not a large percent of the winter where we live in any case.
06-17-2019, 06:01 AM
#14
AudiWorld Super User
Thinking about it more. If the camera and wheel alignment were THAT tightly linked, then the system would go haywire if your alignment was off just a little. That does not appear to be case baed on everyday use. In addition, assuming that the calibration was done correctly at the factory, a wheel alignment should bring things BACK in spec. Since the cameras didn't move as the wheel alignment got messed up or realigned, everything should be back in spec and aligned again with just a wheel alignment.
Needing calibration after a windshield replacement is also controversial, but at least I can understand that one since the windshield mounted camera could be off a slight amount with a replacement, but the association with wheel alignment just makes no sense to me.
Needing calibration after a windshield replacement is also controversial, but at least I can understand that one since the windshield mounted camera could be off a slight amount with a replacement, but the association with wheel alignment just makes no sense to me.
I would point out that many people in snowy areas change twice a year from winter tires to summer and back. Why does this not require re-calibration each time? The tires would not only be different but have different wear. I have done this many times this with my Honda and there is no noticeable difference in driver assistance system performance. And what about aftermarket wheels which often include offset differences? Are those folks doing a re calibration?
Not an issue for our upcoming Q7 since we will probably not be putting winter tires on that. The Ridgeline is quite spectacular in winter conditions with studs so will just drive that when conditions are bad - not a large percent of the winter where we live in any case.
Not an issue for our upcoming Q7 since we will probably not be putting winter tires on that. The Ridgeline is quite spectacular in winter conditions with studs so will just drive that when conditions are bad - not a large percent of the winter where we live in any case.
my local dealer charged me high $400s for this dynamic alignment. not a bad idea to request driver assist module updates too, mine was 3 REVs out of date... they should do that free with the alignment...
Last edited by mhoran89; 06-18-2019 at 05:05 AM.
06-17-2019, 06:07 AM
#15
Perhaps true of the Audi with an OEM windshield but not true of my Honda. I just had a windshield replaced and they first tried an aftermarket. The camera bracket was crooked
so they had to pull it and order an OEM windshield. That worked in the shop but not on the road so it had to go to the dealer for calibration. Works fine now but sure as heck I will never let anyone put in anything but OEM windshields. Cost me several hours of travel and more of waiting but no extra $$.
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AudiEV (04-12-2023)
06-17-2019, 12:11 PM
#16
AudiWorld Super User
Perhaps true of the Audi with an OEM windshield but not true of my Honda. I just had a windshield replaced and they first tried an aftermarket. The camera bracket was crooked so they had to pull it and order an OEM windshield. That worked in the shop but not on the road so it had to go to the dealer for calibration. Works fine now but sure as heck I will never let anyone put in anything but OEM windshields. Cost me several hours of travel and more of waiting but no extra $$.
so they had to pull it and order an OEM windshield. That worked in the shop but not on the road so it had to go to the dealer for calibration. Works fine now but sure as heck I will never let anyone put in anything but OEM windshields. Cost me several hours of travel and more of waiting but no extra $$.OEM or bust, I will send the Safelite person home if they come without the real thing now...
06-17-2019, 05:57 PM
#17
Dealer did an alignment today and said they recommend camera calibrations. Here is the kicker. I do not have ACC. My car is canadian so I have lane keep assist but not the advanced package which includes acc. They said since my cars alignment is being brought back to spec my cameras need to be calibrated. I think it was $600 or something insane. I declined. Guess what? Lane keep assist works perfect. *******s
Why dont they road test the cars to see if the cameras need it? You know why? Because its a scam.
Why dont they road test the cars to see if the cameras need it? You know why? Because its a scam.
06-19-2019, 09:00 AM
#18
AudiWorld Senior Member
Your tire tread depth and alignment all change over time, while getting new tires is likely to be a bigger change it should be closer to the original calibration the day after new tires than it was the day before.
I would only do the alignment if something seems off (or rich and paranoid of which I'm neither).
I would only do the alignment if something seems off (or rich and paranoid of which I'm neither).
06-19-2019, 11:48 AM
#19
Perhaps, but with my Honda (again, my Q7 is in transit), the tire shop that swaps winter/summer tires for me pretty much ALWAYS gets the pressures not only wrong but as much as 10 pounds different between tires (Honda has PSI readout per tire). I have never seen any effect of this in the 5 miles or so of highway between the shop and when I get home and fix the pressures. If pressure is critical, there should be a difference.
06-19-2019, 03:16 PM
#20
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
