Potholes on county roads and the occasional curb strike around town can knock a vehicle’s alignment out of spec faster than most drivers realize. Taylor Ford of Union City checks and corrects alignment using precision equipment, restoring the wheel angles your vehicle was engineered around. Our factory-trained technicians measure camber, caster, and toe against exact manufacturer specifications rather than guesswork, using the same precision equipment for every make and model. Catching alignment problems early protects your tires from uneven wear and keeps steering feeling predictable, whether you’re on the highway or a gravel back road out toward the lake.
Alignment refers to adjusting the angles of the wheels, specifically camber, caster, and toe, so they match the specifications set by the manufacturer. These angles determine how evenly each tire’s contact patch meets the road and how directly the vehicle responds to steering input. Correct alignment lets a vehicle track straight without constant steering correction while distributing weight evenly across all four tires. Once alignment drifts even slightly out of spec, tires begin wearing unevenly, and the vehicle can start to feel noticeably less precise at higher speeds, a difference many drivers notice through the steering wheel before anything else.
A vehicle that drifts to one side on a flat, straight road is usually the clearest sign that alignment has shifted out of spec. Watch for a steering wheel that sits crooked while driving straight, or a vibration that doesn’t match the pattern of a typical tire balance issue. Tread wear concentrated on one edge of a tire, rather than spread evenly across the surface, often develops gradually from an alignment issue rather than the tire itself. Ignoring these signs accelerates tire wear, reduces grip in wet conditions, and places uneven strain on suspension and steering components over time. Most of these clues are easy to notice once you know what to look out for when you’re behind the wheel.
Taylor Ford of Union City, located at 2022 Reelfoot Avenue, performs precision alignments using equipment that measures your vehicle against exact manufacturer specifications. Correcting alignment early protects the tires you’ve already paid for and restores the steady, predictable handling your vehicle was designed to deliver from the factory. Our technicians can also flag related suspension issues that may be contributing to the drift before they turn into a bigger repair. Call (731) 885-8833 or schedule online, and let our team get your vehicle tracking back on track.
Most manufacturers recommend checking alignment about once a year or every 12,000 miles, though hitting a significant pothole or curb warrants a check sooner. Vehicles that regularly travel gravel or rough county roads may need more frequent attention. Catching alignment drift early helps prevent accelerated tire wear.
Alignment adjusts the angles of the wheels relative to the road and to each other, while balancing corrects uneven weight distribution across each wheel-and-tire assembly. Misalignment typically causes pulling or uneven tread wear, while imbalance usually shows up as vibration at certain speeds. They address entirely different mechanical issues.
Yes, a hard impact from a pothole or curb can shift suspension components enough to knock alignment out of specification, even without any visible exterior damage. This is one of the most common causes of sudden alignment issues. Having alignment checked after a significant impact is a smart, inexpensive precaution.
Ignoring alignment problems causes tires to wear unevenly and prematurely, often leading to earlier-than-expected replacement. It also makes the vehicle harder to control precisely and places uneven strain on suspension and steering parts. A simple alignment correction now can prevent a much larger repair bill later.
It does. Misalignment increases rolling resistance by causing tires to drag slightly rather than roll freely, which makes the engine work harder and burn more fuel. The effect on any single tank might be small, but it adds up meaningfully over months of driving. Correct alignment keeps tires rolling as efficiently as they’re designed to.
A vehicle pulling to one side, an off-center steering wheel while driving straight, or wear concentrated on one edge of a tire usually points to alignment issues. Wear that’s spread evenly across several tires can sometimes point to a suspension or tire quality issue instead. A technician can inspect both and identify the actual cause.
Not necessarily. While checking alignment during a new tire installation is common practice, alignment can drift over time due to potholes, curb strikes, or normal wear on suspension components. Regular alignment checks, regardless of tire age, protect both handling and tread life. Waiting only for new tires can let a drift go unnoticed for months.
Yes, worn ball joints, tie rod ends, or bushings can prevent an alignment from holding steady, even right after it’s been corrected. A technician typically checks suspension components before performing an alignment to catch any parts that need replacing first. Fixing worn parts first ensures the alignment holds over time.
*Dealer-installed purchases only. Limit 1 offer per retail vehicle (15 per fleet). Valid on select Goodyear®, Cooper®, Kelly®, Continental, General, Falken, Hankook, Toyo®, Pirelli, Uniroyal®, Yokohama®, and Nitto® tires, and other select brands purchased and installed at a participating U.S. Ford Dealer, Lincoln Dealer, or Quick Lane® Store. Mounting, balancing, and taxes not included. Not redeemable for advertised specials, previous purchases, or cash. May not be combined with Low Price Tire Guarantee. Must purchase 3 tires at regular price, and the 4th tire for $1 must be equal or lesser value. Passenger and light truck tires only. Excludes Toyo medium and commercial/Motorsport. Valid 9/15/26-9/30/26. See Service Advisor for details. Quick Lane® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company.
*Dealer-installed retail purchases only. Limit 1 offer per retail vehicle (15 per fleet). $80 discount on Pirelli Cinturato Weatheractive, P4 Persist AS Plus, Cinturato P7 AS Plus 3, Scorpion A/T Plus, Scorpion AS Plus 3, Scorpion Weatheractive, Scorpion ZERO AS Plus, Scorpion ZERO AS Plus 3, Scorpion XTM AT, Scorpion XTM AT Elect, and Scorpion AS4 product lines. Tires must be purchased and installed at a participating U.S. Ford Dealer, Lincoln Dealer, or Quick Lane® Store. Mounting, balancing, and taxes not included. Not redeemable for advertised specials, previous purchases, or cash. May be combined with other select offers. Valid 9/1/26-9/30/26. See Service Advisor for details. Quick Lane® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company.
*Dealer-installed purchases only. Limit 1 tire rebate per retail vehicle. $100 tire rebate on a set of 4 Pirelli Scorpion™ AS 4 and Scorpion XTM product lines. $80 tire rebate on the purchase of 4 Hankook DynaPro, Kinergy PT, Kinergy XP, and Weatherflex tires. Valid 9/1/26-9/30/26. Submit by 10/31/26 online at the tire manufacturer website or by mail per the tire manufacturer rebate form. Rebate by Visa® Reward Card or Visa® Virtual Prepaid Card. Visa is not a sponsor of this promotion. Ford Motor Company is not a sponsor of this promotion. See Service Advisor for details.
*Active U.S. Ford Employees and Retirees only. Generate up to 4 PINs at FordServiceDiscount.com from 4/15/26-12/31/26 for personal use or to share. Limit 1 PIN per VIN. Receive a $50 instant discount on eligible maintenance services with a minimum $100 customer-pay repair order. Eligible services include oil changes, The Works®, brakes, batteries, tires, wipers, and filters. Requires purchase and installation of genuine Ford/Motorcraft® Parts or select name-brand tires. Valid only on Ford and Lincoln vehicles at a participating U.S. Ford Dealer, Lincoln Dealer, or Quick Lane® Store. Present PIN at write-up; prior authorization required. PINs expire 60 days after generation. See Service Advisor for full details through 12/31/26. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time. Quick Lane®, Motorcraft®, and The Works® are registered trademarks of Ford Motor Company.
*Available to active and retired Military and First Responders. Receive an $80 instant discount on a set of 4 qualifying tires from participating brands (Goodyear®, Michelin, BFGoodrich®, Continental, General, Pirelli, Hankook, Bridgestone, Falken, and Toyo®). Excludes Toyo medium and commercial/Motorsport patterns. Combinable with other eligible offers. Dealer-installed purchases only at a participating U.S. Ford Dealer, Lincoln Dealer, or Quick Lane® Store. Present nontransferable Hero Code at purchase (requires ID.me validation). Limit 2 Hero Codes per calendar year per customer. Valid for tires purchased and installed 1/1/26-12/31/26. Unused codes expire 12/31/26. See Military and First Responders Tire Discount for details. Quick Lane® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company.
*Dealer-installed retail/fleet purchases only. Must present competitor's current ad for the exact tire within 30 days of purchase. Online quotes must be for new tires from direct retailer sites (excludes marketplaces/third-party resellers). See participating U.S. dealer for details. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time.
*Includes up to 6 quarts of Motorcraft® oil and Motorcraft oil filter. Excludes hybrid battery test. See Service Advisor for details. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time. Motorcraft® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company.
*Available for Motorcraft® brake pads purchased after 7/1/14. Nontransferable. Requires copy of original repair order and completion of any necessary brake service (e.g., rotor service). Pads must be installed by a U.S. Ford Dealer, Lincoln Dealer, or Quick Lane® technician. Covers pads only; labor costs excluded. Excludes commercial delivery, taxi, limousine, postal, police, tow, racing, and emergency vehicles. See Service Advisor for details. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time. Quick Lane® and Motorcraft® are registered trademarks of Ford Motor Company.
*Inspect brake friction material, caliper operation, rotors, drums, hoses, and connections. Inspect parking brake for damage and proper operation. See participating U.S. dealer for details. Ford reserves the right to change, modify, or discontinue this program at any time.
*With exchange. Taxes and installation extra. Warranty includes complimentary towing on dealer-installed batteries. Must have a Ford Rewards membership within 60 days of service invoice date to receive Ford Rewards Points. Points have no cash value; see FordRewards.com for terms, including Points expiration. See Service Advisor for vehicle applications and limited-warranty details. Expires 9/30/26. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time. Motorcraft® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company.
*With exchange. Taxes and installation extra. Warranty includes complimentary towing on dealer-installed batteries. Must have a Ford Rewards membership within 60 days of service invoice date to receive Ford Rewards Points. Points have no cash value; see FordRewards.com for terms, including Points expiration. See Service Advisor for vehicle applications and limited-warranty details. Expires 9/30/26. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time. Motorcraft® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company.
*Visually inspect and test battery using tester. Hybrid battery test excluded. See participating U.S. dealer for details. Ford reserves the right to change, modify, or discontinue this program at any time.
*Must have a Ford Rewards membership within 60 days of service invoice date to receive Ford Rewards Points. Points have no cash value; see FordRewards.com for terms, including Points expiration. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time. **Limitations apply. Earn Points for the purchase of Ford, Motorcraft®, or Omnicraft™ Parts and associated labor at participating Ford Dealers. See FordRewards.com for terms and FAQ. Motorcraft® and Omnicraft™ are trademarks of Ford Motor Company. †The Ford app, compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available via a download. Message and data rates may apply. Visit Ford.com for privacy notice.
*Offered by participating dealers. May be limited based on availability, distance, or other dealer criteria. Excludes parts and repair charges. Nonoperational vehicles are not eligible and require Roadside Assistance. See participating U.S. dealer for details. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time.
*Offered by participating dealers. May be limited based on availability, distance, or other dealer criteria. Excludes parts and repair charges. See participating U.S. dealer for details. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time.
*See your U.S. dealer for a copy of the limited warranty. Ford reserves the right to change, modify, or discontinue this program at any time. Motorcraft® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company.
*See your U.S. dealer for a copy of the limited warranty. Ford reserves the right to change, modify, or discontinue this program at any time.
