Taking some simple steps can help you prepare your car for shipping. These five simple steps will ensure the process goes more smoothly:
Remove personal items – While it is tempting to load up your vehicle when transporting it, this is not a good idea. It is against regulations for car carriers to transport personal items inside vehicles. In addition, items can be lost or stolen and it can put your vehicle overweight. See the post about including personal belongings during car shipping for more details.
Wash your car – While this may seem counter intuitive, since your vehicle will be on the back of a truck for several days or more, it allows for a more accurate inspection of your car. The driver can more accurately record any digs or dents, so there are no disputes about damage upon delivery.
Secure aftermarket add-ons – Protect any aftermarket add-ons or special effects on your car such as spoilers, fog lights, and antennas by removing them. Anything that extends beyond the original shape of your vehicle can be easily damaged during auto transport.
Run fuel tank down to below ¼ full – Having a full tank of fuel adds additional weight to your vehicle. Car carriers appreciate it when you provide them with a tank that is only ⅛ to ¼ full.
5.** Be sure battery is charged** – A fully charged battery will ensure that your car can be started and driven on and off of the car carrier, even if it is sitting on the car 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.