Dealer service drive in measures alignment as you drive in?

when I took my wife's RAV4 in for service, they said that when I drove into
service area they could measure the alignment as I drove in and that it needed
the alignment done, $99. Is this an actual thing or voodoo?

 

Have a feeling everyone driving in needs an alignment at $99….

 

Smells fishy to me as well, OP.

 

I mean, you could have alignment so jacked up that you could spot it from 10 yards away, but I call bullshit on whatever they’re selling.

 

It’s a thing. And I don’t really trust them. Mostly because they are “new” and I don’t know a lot about the system.

Unless they put it on a lift and checked the steering competition, they shouldn’t be selling an alignment.

We’re steering components checked?
If they didn’t say, I’d call BS. Or the service advisor is doing a poor job.

 

Even if it's legit that seems like a lot for an alignment. I pay $60CDN at my local shop. I do one every now and then just to keep things in check.

 

Hawgwash

 

That’s what they call dynamic alignment

 

Been out for well over 10 yrs that I know of......

 

That's the biggest scam going with alignments. All you have to do is turn the wheel slightly to either side when you drive over it and it will say you need an alignment. If your tires are wearing well and it's handling fine don't bother until you get new tires.
Fckn dealers prying your wallet at every visit.

 

They do exist and are hilariously expensive, they also do photo inspection, can measure tread depth and document condition of vehicle. I've worked at 2 luxury brands that considered the machines but we do not see enough cars per day to make the machine worth while but would be very nice and save me some time.

https://www.hunter.com/vehicle-inspection/quick-check/#roi

 

You really only need an alignment if the steering wheel shakes or your tires wear unevenly, otherwise drive it like you stole it

 

That fits in with what we all love so much about dealerships.

My wife was hit up for that $99 for the first oil change on her 4Runner. Report said there was serious wear on one tire at 5,000 miles! I called the service manager asking about that fact and he just made an excuse he wasn't there that day checking on his staff. He right away refunded the charge and they haven't done that again as now I take the 4Runner in.

 

My local Toyota dealer does it for everybody for free, doesn't matter what make/ model, don't even need to do service or buy parts.

Hunter Eagle Eye system is what they use. They even scan the tire tread for depth and wear pattern.

 

Who do you go to for the alignment? Anywhere near Winnipeg?