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Even a minor incident like catching a curb or hitting a pothole can knock your vehicle’s wheels out of alignment without any obvious damage to the tire or rim. Here at Nelson Ford, we use precision equipment to check and correct alignment, restoring the wheel angles your vehicle was engineered around from the factory. Our Ford-certified technicians have the knowledge and experience to get your vehicle tracking straight again in one visit, without any unnecessary guesswork. A correctly aligned vehicle handles better, wears its tires more evenly, and feels more confident on the road. A quick check can settle the question before it turns into a bigger repair.
Alignment refers to adjusting the angles of your wheels, specifically camber, caster, and toe, so they match the specifications set by your vehicle’s manufacturer. These angles determine how evenly each tire’s contact patch meets the road and how directly your vehicle responds to steering input on the highway or around town. Correct alignment lets your vehicle track straight without constant steering correction and distributes weight evenly across all four tires. Once alignment drifts even slightly out of spec, your tires begin wearing unevenly, and handling can start to feel noticeably less precise, a difference that’s often easier to feel than to describe.
A vehicle that pulls 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 off-center while driving straight, or for vibrations through the wheel that don’t match a typical tire-balance issue. Uneven tread wear across a tire, particularly wear concentrated on one edge, often develops gradually from an alignment issue rather than the tire itself. Left uncorrected, poor alignment accelerates tire wear and places uneven strain on your suspension and steering components. Most of these clues are easy to notice once you know what to look for behind the wheel.
Here at Nelson Ford, our Ford-certified technicians use precision alignment equipment to measure 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. We can also flag related suspension issues that might be contributing to the problem before they become bigger problems. Call us at (276) 638-2331, or schedule an appointment online, and let us get your vehicle tracking straight again.
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. 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 wear, while imbalance usually shows up as vibration.
Yes, a hard impact from a pothole or curb can shift suspension components enough to knock alignment out of specification, even without visible exterior damage. Having alignment checked after a significant impact is a smart 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 components.
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.
A vehicle pulling to one side, an off-center steering wheel, or wear concentrated on one edge of a tire usually indicates alignment issues. A technician can inspect both to identify the actual cause.
Not necessarily. Alignment can drift independently due to potholes, curb strikes, or normal wear on suspension components, so regular checks help maintain handling and tread life regardless of tire age.
Yes, worn ball joints, tie rod ends, or bushings can prevent an alignment from holding steady, even right after it’s corrected. A technician typically checks suspension components first to catch any parts that need replacing.
*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.
*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.
