GOLFMK8
GOLFMK7
GOLFMK6
GOLFMKV

All alignment must be done by VW due to ACC Calibration

W

whistlindixi

New member
Location
Belfast
I spoke to a technician in VW today who explained to me that any wheels alignments must now be done by VW, as they will also need to incorporate the alignment of the ACC.

Aligning the wheels without doing the ACC will result in the vehicles tracking being off. I had to align mine after changing springs last weekend, and a week later (today) noticed the tracking was indeed off.

How much is this service from my local VW? £450. Four hundred and fifty pounds. Unless i get to take the wheel alignment equipment home with me at the end of it, i find that a little extortionate. And apparently no-one else in the north of Ireland can offer this service but VW.

So, i was wondering if anyone who had recently fitted springs/coil-overs to there cars if they had any issues after having there cars realigned. Any steering wheels sitting even a few degrees of centre when going in a straight line.
 
the bruce

the bruce

Go Kart Champion
Location
land
Car(s)
Golf GTI Mk.V 2008
Already read about issues with ACC, but still I'm not convinced on the need to have
it done at VW, since some have no issues after a conventional alignment. If you
have access to VCDS you should be fine anyway.
 
V

VW4Lyfe

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Chicago
whistlindixi said:
I spoke to a technician in VW today who explained to me that any wheels alignments must now be done by VW, as they will also need to incorporate the alignment of the ACC.

Aligning the wheels without doing the ACC will result in the vehicles tracking being off. I had to align mine after changing springs last weekend, and a week later (today) noticed the tracking was indeed off.

How much is this service from my local VW? £450. Four hundred and fifty pounds. Unless i get to take the wheel alignment equipment home with me at the end of it, i find that a little extortionate. And apparently no-one else in the north of Ireland can offer this service but VW.

So, i was wondering if anyone who had recently fitted springs/coil-overs to there cars if they had any issues after having there cars realigned. Any steering wheels sitting even a few degrees of centre when going in a straight line.
Click to expand...

ACC calibration, as in the Automatic Distance Control? I don't see how that system would be remotely related to alignment.

Maybe you mean DCC? Even then I don't see why a competent alignment shop couldn't figure it out.
 
BravoMike

BravoMike

Go Kart Champion
Location
Indianapolis
Interesting. Why would either DCC or ACC require a special alignment?
 
the bruce

the bruce

Go Kart Champion
Location
land
Car(s)
Golf GTI Mk.V 2008
He quite certainly does mean ACC, adaptive cruise control. And yes, basically it's
ride height and toe related.
That doesn't necessarily mean having any alignenment done at VW is mandatory
though.
DCC should also get an reset after fitting lowering springs, but again, plenty of
European GTI owner claim to have no issues without.
 
W

whistlindixi

New member
Location
Belfast
ACC - Adaptive Cruise Control

The technician explained to me that the car will adapt its tracking in sync with the ACC, as it is a high spec radar device - i.e the car will always assume it is right. I had my car aligned last week and noticed this morning the tracking was off already, after very little driving time.

I'm no expert, as you may be able to tell, and i am repeating info given to me by a VW tech.

I posted this on another forum earlier today and have had a response from another owner with the same issue - Car fully aligned and a short time later the tracking is off again.
 
EB2429

EB2429

Go Kart Newbie
Location
uk
Car(s)
GTi 7.5
Not saying it is or isn't required, but more info can be found below

The tool the Dealers use is probably the Hella Gutmann CSC tool

It is available in the aftermarket, and high end body shops will have to have it soon, if they don't already. When they make the investment, the other local smaller garages and paint shops will rent the services of the garage that has made the investment. Or simply direct you to a place that has it. I'm sure in time there will be a database of garages you can go to for it, just like Hunter alignment websites etc.

Some info here
http://hella-gutmann.co.uk/products/csc-tool/


BTW its not a VW specific thing despite what the dealer says...
 
the bruce

the bruce

Go Kart Champion
Location
land
Car(s)
Golf GTI Mk.V 2008
Let's get ahead and post both alignment sheets please**.
We'll probably find a plug to proceed with this.




**Some will know I have some experience in analyzing alignments.
 
RjRacing

RjRacing

Go Kart Champion
Location
Philly
As a "retired" dealer tech I can tell you that there is a tool that any reputable alignment shop will have that re-adjusts the EPS true center for most new cars. The tool isn't cheap and they will charge more, but even some tire shops like PepBoys and Firestone have them.
 
the bruce

the bruce

Go Kart Champion
Location
land
Car(s)
Golf GTI Mk.V 2008
Thank you whistlindixi, but I already do know the factory spec (which are nothing special),
I wanted to see the data of your car in particular.
If I understood you correctly, you did have two alignments, one last week, one today. At
least there's some chance to find a reason why ACC failed.
 
A

Al_in_Philly

Autocross Newbie
Location
Philadelphia USA
After I heard that VWoC (and thus likely VWoA) was planning on offering the 2016 R's with an "electronics package," likely including ACC, for a bit I was second guessing myself for opting in for a 2015 R with the more basic cruise control. And even though I worked that out in my head, and was again gung ho for the 2015 model, this bit of news about alignments with the ACC system totally puts my misgivings to rest. I hope that Wistlindixi finds a more reasonable mechanic capable of doing his alignments within specs over in Belfast.
 
The Fed

The Fed

Old Guys Rule
Location
Florida
Al_in_Philly said:
After I heard that VWoC (and thus likely VWoA) was planning on offering the 2016 R's with an "electronics package," likely including ACC, for a bit I was second guessing myself for opting in for a 2015 R with the more basic cruise control. And even though I worked that out in my head, and was again gung ho for the 2015 model, this bit of news about alignments with the ACC system totally puts my misgivings to rest. I hope that Wistlindixi finds a more reasonable mechanic capable of doing his alignments within specs over in Belfast.
Click to expand...

I recently got four new tires, TPMS sensors and four-wheel alignment at a dealer. It was only a little over $100 for the alignment. No one at the dealer mentioned there was anything special to do alignments on electric power steering cars.
 
corfyboy

corfyboy

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Manchester
that's the vw special tool to align the acc radar had to use it a few times vehicle in front end smash and being hit and knocked off centre and even having a vehicle with one stolen... Set up has to be done with a wheel alignment programme... The lower white board is for acc and the big domino board at the top is for lane assistance in the windscreen..
 
corfyboy

corfyboy

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Manchester
Acc Adjustments are required if... Rear axle toe is adjusted . Accident damage to front cross member... If the sensor is renewed.. And if the over all angle is out by + - 0.8..
Measured value block 2 of the ACC control unit will indicate whether or not the sensor is only slightly out of adjustment... does not require doing if front alignment is adjusted I can't see many garages owning the domino board not a cheap bit of kit
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top