[motorguy]

My son in law recently took his 2014 Hyundai Elite i20 for a wheel alignment at a Hyundai service center in Bangalore (would not like to mention the dealer name). After the alignment, the steering wheel was tilted slightly when the car is travelling straight which creates elbow pain especially on long drives.
Upon asking the SA to correct the issue, they tried some measures (not sure what) but the problem was not solved. They also said, the car is aligned and could not rectify the steering tilt issue. So, giving up, my son-in-law accepted it and continued driving the car in state even for long trips which made it extremely uncomfortable.
I then brought him to Madhus Wilson Garden last Sunday and they even agreed to stay open for an hour so he could bring the car. They corrected everything - alignment that the Hyundai ASS did was apparently quite bad. So, this means the alignment machines in the Hyundai service center were basically out of whack and of course this was likely the reason for the bad alignment.
Told him now not to rely on Hyndai AS* henceforth for this kind of work.

Nikhil - you've got a fantastic setup at Madhus Wilson Garden and he's so happy with your guys. They are knowledgeable, cordial and are willing to really take time to explain what they do and the issues found.

Also - since you've got a tool for steering angle reset (which on Elite i20's from 2016 onwards), I've also stopped going to the Hyundai AS* for wheel alignment and balancing.

[GTO]

Golden rule of authorised workshops : Never use them for wheel alignment (it's universally lame) and always go to a specialist. Exactly the same for detailing too - best to go to specialist shops.

Dealers treat these services as "invoice enhancements" and not really a value-add for the car owner.

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by GTO

Golden rule of authorised workshops : Never use them for wheel alignment (it's universally lame) and always go to a specialist. Exactly the same for detailing too - best to go to specialist shops.

Originally Posted by motorguy

My son in law recently took his 2014 Hyundai Elite i20 for a wheel alignment at a Hyundai service center in Bangalore

Fully agree with @GTO on that one. Both are specialist jobs and no reason to visit A.S.S. for these two aspects.

I track my own wheel alignment schedule and don't count on the service centre to remind me.

In Mumbai, my go to places would be Trevor at Straightline and Pal Tyres - both have the Hunter machine (Trevor literally just got it last week) which is quite sophisticated and both are honest as well as competent.

For detailing, my go to place once or twice a year is Mazda Motors at Tardeo.

I have never done any of my detailing work or wheel alignment at the authorised service centre for this reason.

[a4anurag]

+1 to what GTO just said.

It was only initially that I used to get the wheel alignment + balancing + rotation done at Maruti ASC but at the later stages got it done outside to my satisfaction.

It's been over 5 years that I have been visiting MRF T&S centre for all the wheel alignment + balancing + rotation jobs every 5,000 kms. Have bought a yearly service package from them so there is continuous support throughout.

For what dealer's charge, same we can get it done a minimum two times at a specialised store. Will urge you to stop visiting Hyundai ASC for wheel alignment + balancing related jobs.

[iliketurtles]

Glad the issue got fixed, OP. Non-essential items like wheel alignment and balancing are best done outside, by a specialist that knows their nuts and bolts.

Originally Posted by Axe77

In Mumbai, my go to places would be Trevor at Straightline and Pal Tyres - both have the Hunter machine (Trevor literally just got it last week) which is quite sophisticated and both are honest as well as competent.

I'm really glad you mentioned this. I knew Pal had the latest machine, but not Trevor. I used to haul my Jetta to him, but desisted from taking the 3'er to him since I wasn't quite sure he'd get all the nitty gritties right. His work was top-notch, will definitely pay him a visit for my next alignment & balancing.

[IndigoXLGrandDi]

Sorry if
I have never ever needed to reset/correct the Steering Angle in our 202574 Kms run Elite i20 Diesel Asta (bought in Mar. 2015) after getting the Wheel Alignment done.

I just tell the Guy doing Wheel Alignment to keep the Steering Wheel pointed straight ahead and the job. As such the Steering Angle does not change.

I have got wheel alignment done outside of HASS every time.

[lapis_lazuli]

The only problem of going outside is, the ASS often threatens the unsuspecting customer, that the suspension warranty would be void, if the alignment and balancing is not carried out at their facility. This is something ridiculous and often the SA would try to bundle it even if the customer has no complaints regarding the same! I have seen many cases where perfectly OK wheel geometry has been ruined by the ASS! Me including, for my Punto and finally, got it corrected outside, the classic "string" method It has been perfect since 2013! Car drives straight...

[motorguy]

Originally Posted by IndigoXLGrandDi

Sorry if
I have never ever needed to reset/correct the Steering Angle in our 202574 Kms run Elite i20 Diesel Asta (bought in Mar. 2015) after getting the Wheel Alignment done.

I just tell the Guy doing Wheel Alignment to keep the Steering Wheel pointed straight ahead and the job. As such the Steering Angle does not change.

I have got wheel alignment done outside of HASS every time.

Apparently, the steering angle sensor is only present from 2016 models. Even though my steering was centred before the alignment, when connecting the scan tool into the car's OBD port, the steering angle was reading 1.2 - they had to turn the steering wheel slightly to get a zero reading.

[IndigoXLGrandDi]

Originally Posted by motorguy

Apparently, the steering angle sensor is only present from 2016 models.

But our i20 shows Warning on Starting the Engine if the Steering Wheel is not pointing straight.

Also the Caliper Pins of our Elite i20 are similar to 1st gen i20. Even the Mobis Spares Centre Owner was shocked on knowing this. When we entered the VIN in Mobis software, it showed Sleeve or something like that (Boodmo also shows the sleeve thing only for my VIN).

[motorguy]

Originally Posted by IndigoXLGrandDi

But our i20 shows Warning on Starting the Engine if the Steering Wheel is not pointing straight.

The sensor is reset based on the wheel geometry after alignment. The warning you are mentioning is probably based on that but is only approximation and not an accurate indicator of steering centering.

[IndigoXLGrandDi]

Originally Posted by motorguy

The sensor is reset based on the wheel geometry after alignment. The warning you are mentioning is probably based on that but is only approximation and not an accurate indicator of steering centering.

I think you misunderstood.

The MID displays if the Steering is already turned in either side.

Suppose while parking the car I turned the Steering Wheel to the Right Side (or the Left Side) and switched off the engine. When I start the car next time, the MID displays (Warns) that the Steering Wheel is turned Right (or Left) and correct the same.

This helps if the car is parked with a stationary object on the left, with Steering turned all the way to right and I want to reverse immediately after starting the car.

[Bibendum90949]

Originally Posted by motorguy

Apparently, the steering angle sensor is only present from 2016 models.

I assume you're referring to i 20 here.

All cars that are equipped with ESC should have a steering angle sensor(SAS). May be Hyundai started giving ESC post 2016 for i 20.

[motorguy]

Originally Posted by IndigoXLGrandDi

I think you misunderstood.

The MID displays if the Steering is already turned in either side.

Suppose while parking the car I turned the Steering Wheel to the Right Side (or the Left Side) and switched off the engine. When I start the car next time, the MID displays (Warns) that the Steering Wheel is turned Right (or Left) and correct the same.

This helps if the car is parked with a stationary object on the left, with Steering turned all the way to right and I want to reverse immediately after starting the car.

When I had the issue of the steering slightly tilted when driving straight, the steering centering on the MID still showed the steering wheel centered. Hence, the problem still points to to the steering angle sensor mis-calibration.

[IndigoXLGrandDi]

Originally Posted by motorguy

When I had the issue of the steering slightly tilted when driving straight, the steering centering on the MID still showed the steering wheel centered. Hence, the problem still points to to the steering angle sensor mis-calibration.

That's why I mention "Just keep the Steering Wheel pointing Straight Ahead and then correct the Alignment from below the car and Not The Opposite".

Hence I dont need to reset the Steering Wheel Sensor everytime I get the Wheel Alignment done.


On a side note, I follow this even for our Xylo (which does not even have Steering Wheel Sensor).

[mbsomanna]

Endorse what GTO said.

For wheel balancing, alignment, Tire rotation and new Tires, it has always been Madhus for me for almost 15 years now.

In addition, I would also suggest not to do oil change in service centers, I have had better experience in petrol stations where I can see the job while being done and be absolutely sure about what I get.