Sometimes customers are confused about wheel alignments. It’s an easy thing to be confused about- wheels are aligned to your car in three different ways and even people with more advanced automotive knowledge can get a little foggy about the three ways wheels are aligned.

So, what is a wheel alignment and what are the three ways wheels are aligned to your car? A wheel alignment, put simply, is making adjustments to the car’s wheels so the wheels are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. What are the three ways your wheels are aligned to your car? Here’s an explanation:

Camber: Camber is the angle of the wheel when viewed from the front of the car. If the top of the wheel is leaning away from the center of the car, that’s called positive camber. If it’s leaning toward the center of the car, that’s called negative camber.

Caster: Caster is the angle to which the steering pivot axis is tilted forward or rearward from vertical, as viewed from the side. Consider a shopping cart. Their wheels are on casters. If the casters do not align, what happens? The cart drives oddly and you spend a good 2 minutes considering whether it’s worth the time to go back to the cart area and get a new cart. Your car’s caster setting is similar to the shopping cart.

Toe: Toe refers to whether or not the tires are parallel to each other. If the tires point toward each other, it’s called “toe-in” and if they point away from each other, it’s called “toe-out.”

Caster and camber are not easily adjustable on most modern front wheel drive vehicles. Often if the caster or camber is seriously out of line, this means some part of the suspension is bent or broken and need to be replaced. Toe is the setting most commonly adjusted with a wheel alignment.

What a wheel alignment will do:

• If your car is pulling to one side, an alignment can normally fix that. Occasionally other problems cause your car to pull to one side, such as incorrect tire pressure adjustment, certain types of brake issues, and some suspension issues.
• It will help ensure you get the best amount of wear time on your tires. Improper wheel alignment can cause a multitude of tire issues, especially uneven wear and “spots”.

What a wheel alignment will not do:

• Fix a vibration in your car. Wheel balancing issues, tire wear, certain brake problems and certain suspension problems can cause vibrations in your car.

Making sure your wheels are in good alignment can make a major difference in how long your tires last. Tires are expensive- taking care of them is an essential way to save money. Come in today and get an alignment for your car!

To: Michael Searcy

On Thursday, April 1, 2010 around 4:00 P.M., my husband and I were visiting your area. Our car’s brakes began to smoke and smell. We stopped at the State Farm office parking lot just down from your business, checked out the situation and asked the clerk for a local mechanic. She Googled the information and called your number. Jeff gave her directions and she sent us to Master Tech Automotive.

When we arrived and explained the situation, Jeff informed us there were many other customers ahead of us and that he may not be able to assist us. My husband asked for a reference and explained that we were from out of state, Wisconsin. Jeff then asked us to have a seat and he would be with us as soon as he could. Within fifteen minutes Johnny had taken our Jeep Liberty into an available stall and had determined the problem. Jeff thoroughly explained the problem and the need to order parts. Jeff then went on to look up motels in the area, explain which one was near a mall and restaurants and called so we could make a reservation for the night. He then arranged for a cab to pick us up.

On Friday, April 2, we received a call that Johnny would be picking us up. He arrived about noon with our vehicle completely repaired. On the drive back to the shop, he explained what he had done and other possible repairs that could be expected in the future. He was polite and very thorough.

Jeff presented us with the cost of the repairs. There were no surprises, Jeff had explained the work the day before and the bill was as he had stated.

What could have been a very stressful time on vacation turned into an opportunity to meet extremely nice, friendly and helpful people. Just thought you should know.

With much appreciation for great people and a job well done,

Louise C.

St. Germain, Wisconsin

Find us at:

1804 Memorial Blvd
Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Give us a call:

615-904-7700

Our operating hours are:

Monday-Friday 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Meet our owner and staff:

Michael
Jeff
Jon
Kevin
Johnny
Joe

See what our customers have to say about us.

Find out more about our warranty.

Find out our guiding principles.

Get coupons and internet-only specials!

Make an appointment online.

Our business profile at the Murfreesboro Post.

“Thank you so much for the two free oil change coupons! They went over very well at our silent auction! You should have some new customers coming your way! Plus me! Thank you again for everything you have done for me! It is very appreciated!”

~Amanda S.

“Just a short note to say thanks a million for the quality of work I’ve received thus far and thank you for being so kind and professional. This day and time it is hard to find affordable auto care. May God bless you all richly.”

~Miles C.

“Thanks for taking care of us! You do great work at Master Tech! Have a great day, you deserve it!”

~Tony & Martha H.

“Thank you so much for your generous donation to our silent auction at our annual Harvest Festival at Lascassas Baptist Church. Your donation of two oil changes helped us raise over $2,000 for our youth program. Thanks again and God bless!”

~Amy D.

“Jeff and Johnny are great. Very friendly and helpful!”

~William P.

“It’s great to have mechanics who are honest as well as knowledgable and competent!”

~Cynthia D.

“The service at this store is excellent. The manager is extremely kind and helpful.”

~Elizabeth R.

“Master Tech Owners: I would like to let you know how much I have appreciated the woderful person you have at your Murfreesboro store. Mr. Jeff Ford has been a pleasure to deal with on more than one occasion. The last visit I made to this business I observed him once again with the same great attitude to every person in the store (even children, that he gave candy to.)”

~Ann-Marie B.

We’re also running an internet-only special- tell them Ivy sent you and get $25 off ANY service over $250. Time to get the timing belt changed? Do you need some major AC work? Save a cool $25 bucks just for telling them Ivy sent you.

Additionally, did you know we have free wifi at the shop for any customer? Whether you only have to wait a few minutes for an oil change or if you’re there for hours waiting on something more major, let the desk person know you need into the wifi conection and we’ll get you set up.

Or, you can come up to the shop and see it in person. It’s really beautiful, you should see the insides.

Pretty sweet, huh? In honor of the new car, here’s a video timeline of El Caminos from 1959 to 1987.

Even though I’ve been driving now for more years than I was a non-driver, I still experience a thrill when I’m driving quite often. My favorite thing is driving fast on a cool summer night, windows down, wind blowing through my hair. The sound of the car changes through they years- from my current nearly-silent, wraith-like Honda to the roar of the 289 engine I had in my ‘66 Mustang. But I love it no matter what I’m driving.

I love the freedom that comes from having a car. I like knowing I can pick up and go somewhere on a moment’s notice, money and time constraints notwithstanding. You’ll find the guys at the shop love cars as well. Ask them about their favorite car they ever owned, and every one of them will regale you with tales of cars they’ve had, cars they’ve known.

Tell me, what do you love about cars?

What is your basic business philosophy? My auto repair business will be known as “Your Neighborhood Garage” by being centered in God, assured by faith and prospered by divine love.

Give us a sales pitch in 25 words or less: We are a locally family owned and operated auto repair facility since 1996. We are God centered. We offer customers the most cost effective auto repair service based on the principles of faith, honesty, integrity, and quality.

What is your proudest business achievement? For three years in a row we were recognized by the Better Business Bureau for “Market Place Ethics.” We were a founding member of the BBB and a member of the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce since opening in 1996. The Murfreesboro Magazine and Murfreesboro Sun publications named us “Best Auto Repair” and “Best Oil Change.”

What led you to Murfreesboro? I retired from the nuclear business in 1995 and began a search for a job that would be in alignment with God’s will for me. Helping people by fixing their car with trust and integrity was a perfect fit.

What is your educational background? I attended Seminole Junior College, University of Tennessee and Louisiana State University. I was a certified senior quality engineer and completed the Senior Reactor Operator Program at Gulf States Utilities. I am a certified auto technician and have completed several auto management courses.

Where are you originally from? I came from Sanford, Fla. in 1970 to work for the Tennessee Valley Authority as a quality engineer in their nuclear program. So I call Tennessee home. I have lived in Murfreesboro longer than anywhere in my life.

What do you do for fun? I love to scuba dive and ride my Harley. This year my wife and I rode our Harley into Canada and made the complete circle around Lake Superior. The total distance was about 1,500 miles. I usually scuba dive four or five times a year in the Florida Keys, Panama City or the Caribbean.

Tell us about your family: My wife, Felicia, was a teacher for 20 years prior to becoming the minister of Unity Church of Life eight years ago. I have two daughters, Michelle Searcy and Mellissa Boles. Both are graduates of Tennessee Technology. Michelle is an information technology manager for Accenture in Fairfax, Va. Mellissa is a third-grade teacher at Capshaw School in Cookeville. She is the mother of our two wonderful grandchildren, Hayden, a 7-year-old, second-grader and Allie a 5-year-old, kindergartener both at Capshaw Elementary School in Cookeville.

Who was your mentor? I have three: Ed Monroe, my first supervisor at TVA, who taught me to do the job right the first time because that’s what people remember the most; Henry “Tap” Richardson, engineering supervisor at TVA, who taught me to look at all possibilities and be prepared for the unexpected; President Jimmy Carter, who taught me that being a good person was more important than being right.

What is the most important thing going on now at your operation? We have changed from a maintenance service facility to a true overall auto repair facility. We do everything from oil changes to engine and transmission replacement. We also do exhaust and welding. To sum it up, if it is broke we fix it.

So, you’d like to know more about Jeff? Here’s his profile:

Are you married or single? Do you have any kids?

I’ve been married for 17 years. 3 kids- a 14 year old son, an 11 year old daughter, and a 6 year old son.

Do you have any pets?

2 dogs- a mutt named Booboo and a puggle named Turner.

What are your hobbies?

Right now I’m restoring an old Ford truck with my son. I also love skeet shooting, golfing, camping, hiking, canoeing, and riding dirt bikes.

How long have you been working on cars?

Since I was 15.

Why did you go into the auto repair business?

I have an uncle that owned California Customs and I enjoyed watching and helping I then went through Ford Asset program and worked as an auto technician for several years, but the money would be good one week and bad the next which was a little hard to deal with, so I became a service writer and manager.

What’s your dream car?

1968 Shelby Cobra

What’s your favorite kind of car to work on?

So far, the best thing I’ve ever worked on was a 1971 Corvette convertible I helped my father-in-law restore.

What’s your least favorite kind of car to work on, and why?

Chryslers. Why? Well, they’re Chryslers.

Come on down and see the hardest working guy in auto repair today!

Saturday we had quite a few people come out in the heat to take our Maintenance 101 class. We’d like to thank them- it was pretty miserably hot, but I think it was a great class anyway! Jeff and Johnny were on had to teach the basics of maintenance. There was a lot to learn from tires to alignments to all sorts of other maintenance items.

One thing I learned from the class was the importance of making sure your tires aren’t too old. After several years, tires can dry out and crack, causing them to come apart. This creates a major blowout hazard. That’s one of the reasons it’s important to buy tires new instead of used.

Want more great information on maintenance? Keep an eye on this blog, or sign your group up for a Maintenance 101 class. Contact manager Jeff for more information at 904-7700.