​​Are You Ready to Go Back to School?​ 

Before we know it, school will be back in session.  

For families in Fishers, Noblesville, Carmel, Geist, and across the Hamilton Southeastern Schools District, that means getting ready for the “school run” – the morning commute to take your children to school – then picking them up after the final bell of the day. 

Perhaps this call to school duty means it’s time for a checkup on your vehicle. But where to start?

Start with the tires. The most use out of your vehicle comes from where the rubber meets the road. Make sure that the tread depth is healthy – well above 3/16 or the top of Lincoln’s head on a penny set into the tread groove. Always check for uneven wear and tire pressures. When the weather turns wet or the possibly of snow towards the end of the year across the suburbs around Indianapolis, your tires must be able to handle these conditions in a very safe manner.  

The same goes for the brakes. You are going to do some quick stops, inching your vehicle back-and-forth in the pickup line at school, and around the neighborhood. Always keep a ear out for squeaking, vibration, and grinding from the brakes, and pay attention if the brake pedal feels softer than before, or if bringing the vehicle to a halt takes longer or more effort. These are all signs that brake pads, rotors, and other hardware may need to be inspected and replaced – the sooner the better. 

When school starts again, your battery is going to be challenged – not just from the summer heat, but also from the impending winter. Check your battery for slow cranking, age and condition – including corrosion around the terminals. Also, watch for the warning lights to pop up. A test of your battery health should be something to be done before taking your children to school. Make sure your lights and wipers work properly. You will need them before the storms roll in later this year.  

The air conditioning and climate control system should be working properly. The hot weather during the first few weeks of school will not be comfortable for your children as they get out from school. You should also be comfortable when you’re waiting for them to leave after that final bell. If your vehicle’s climate control seems a little under the weather, consider having professionals inspect and repair accordingly. 

The passenger and cargo space should be clean and welcoming for both school runs. Anything that was left from your summer adventures should be gone – from snack wrappers to toys to towels – you name it!  

If you have an emergency kit on board, it is also the time to restock it. Everything should be fresh for the new school year – including making sure you have jumper cables to a new set of wipes.  

If any – or all – of the above needs attention, know that you have a good service center in your area that can make sure your vehicles are ready for the school year ahead. That starts with an appointment at Alderman Automotive to get your brakes, battery, tires, and the rest of your vehicle is ready for another year of school runs and after school activities. It is always best to take care of it now before your school-year schedules get packed.