There are a few things you should do to prepare your vehicle for shipping. To ensure the process goes smoothly, follow these simple steps:
Wash your car – While this may seem like an odd thing to do before your car gets loaded on the back of a truck for several days, it’s an important step in ensuring an accurate inspection of the vehicle. At pick-up, the driver will conduct a thorough inspection of the car’s condition before shipping, so making sure that your car is clean means that the driver can accurately record any scratches, dings, etc, in order to avoid any disputes after shipping.
Remove personal items – While it is tempting to want to ship personal items in your vehicle, it is not recommended. Your shipping company will most likely ask you to remove them for two reasons: 1.) Most carriers are not licensed to transport personal items, or insured in the event any items are lost or stolen. 2.) Adding personal items to your car may put the car carrier over its weight limit, resulting in significant fines and/or delays.
Secure aftermarket add-ons – Protect your car’s aftermarket add-ons like spoilers, fog lights, and antennas, by securing them or removing them before shipping. Anything that extends beyond the original shape of your vehicle may get damaged during transport, so it’s best to be safe and make sure they are removed or secured.
Run fuel tank down to 1/4 tank – Having a full tank of fuel adds extra weight to your car. Car carriers appreciate it if you leave your tank between 1/8 and 1/4 full.
Make sure your battery is charged – It’s important that your car is able to be driven on and off the car carrier during transport. A fully charged battery will ensure that your car can be started even after sitting on a carrier for a week or more.
In addition to these five steps, you may want to check with your car shipping company to see if they have any additional recommendations to prepare your car for shipping.
MoveCars.com is a comprehensive online directory of car shipping companies, including enclosed auto transport and international shipping companies. Even before you start looking for a car shipping company, you can find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about car moving, car shipping tips, and a glossary of auto transport terms .