How To Prepare For Auto Transport: 10 Simple Steps

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It's important to get your car ready before using an auto transport service to move it between states. Preparing your car helps protect it during the journey and makes the whole process go smoothly. When your car is ready, it's easier for the transport team to load and unload it, reducing the chances of any delays. Proper preparation also ensures your car is secured well, so it won't get damaged on the way. Taking the time to get your car ready shows that you care about its safety, and it helps make the entire moving experience more successful and stress-free.

Top 10 Preparation Steps for Auto Transport

Here are the top 10 things you should do to prepare your car for door-to-door auto shipping.

Empty Car of Personal Items when Car Shipping

1️⃣ When you're getting ready to ship your car, it's important to know that your car itself is protected by insurance. This means if anything happens to your car while it's being shipped, like if it gets damaged, the insurance will help cover the costs of fixing it up.

But here's the thing: the insurance doesn't cover anything you leave inside your car. So, if you have stuff like clothes, toys, or gadgets in there, they're not protected. If something happens to them, like if they get lost or stolen, you're on your own.

The driver handling your car during shipping isn't responsible for keeping track of your stuff either. They've got a lot to focus on, like making sure your car gets where it needs to go safely. So, if you leave something in your car and it goes missing, they're not going to be held responsible.

Please no personal items.

To keep your things safe, it's a good idea to take everything out of your car before it gets shipped. That way, there's nothing to worry about losing. But if you absolutely have to leave something behind, make sure it's hidden and locked up tight. The people shipping your car don't want to know what's in there, and they won't be responsible for anything that happens to it.

Before you send your car off on its journey, remember: empty is best! That way, you can have peace of mind knowing your car will be safe and sound when it reaches its destination.

Keep Fuel Gauge Low when Shipping a Car

2️⃣ Let's talk about fueling up your car before shipping. Here's the deal: drivers who transport your car prefer that your fuel tank isn't filled up more than a quarter. Why? Well, it's all about safety. You see, having too much gas in the tank increases the risk of flammable gas igniting, and that's something nobody wants to deal with.

When you're getting your car ready to ship, don't even think about filling up the tank. In fact, the less fuel, the better. Trust me, drivers get real antsy when they roll up to pick up your car and realize it's got a full tank. It's not just about convenience – it's a serious safety issue.

Having a full tank of gas during transport can put the driver's life in danger. Imagine if something were to go wrong and there's a fire – that's a situation nobody wants to be in.

Gas is highly flammable.

When you're prepping your car for shipping, leave the fuel tank as empty as possible. It's best to keep the tank at a quarter or less, and everyone will breathe a little easier. It's a simple step that can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe during the shipping process.

Wash Your Car Before Loading onto Car Carrier

3️⃣ When the driver arrives to pick up your car, they're going to do something important: a vehicle inspection report. Now, this might sound a bit formal, but it's actually a pretty straightforward process. Basically, they're going to take a good look at your car and jot down any dents, scratches, or dings it might have.

Here's the thing: the cleaner your car is, the easier it'll be for the driver to spot any damage. So, it's not just about making your car look good – it's also for your security. When your car's in tip-top shape, it's easier to get a detailed record of its condition.

A quick wash helps with inspection.

That's why it's a good idea to give your car a quick wash before shipping it out. Not only does it make your car look shiny and fresh, but it also helps both you and the driver out during the inspection. It's a win-win!

Now, let's say the inspection uncovers some new damage that wasn't there before. Don't worry – that's where the car carrier's insurance policy comes in. You can file a claim to get reimbursed for any added damage during transit. It's like having an extra layer of protection for your peace of mind.

• Remember: a clean car makes for an easier inspection, which means a smoother shipping process for everyone involved. Plus, it's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your vehicle during transit.

Take Pictures of Your Car for Records and Insurance Purposes

4️⃣ Here's a super handy tip for ensuring your peace of mind when shipping your car: snap some pictures! Yep, just whip out your phone and take a few quick shots of your car before it gets loaded up for transport.

It's really simple and won't take more than a few seconds of your time, but it can make a big difference if anything happens to your car during transit. By having pictures of your car's condition beforehand, you've got solid proof of how it looked before it hit the road.

Pictures make great proof.

Think of it as an extra layer of protection for your car – kind of like an insurance policy for your peace of mind. These pictures can serve as additional documentation alongside the vehicle inspection report, giving you even more detail about your car's condition.

Next time you're getting ready to ship your car, don't forget to snap a few pics. It's the best thing you can do to cover yourself and ensure your car's safety every step of the way.

Make Sure Loading Area is Clear for Carrier to Load

5️⃣ When it comes to getting your car ready for transport, one simple but often overlooked step can make a huge difference: clearing the loading area. Yep, that means getting rid of any and all obstructions that might get in the way of the loading process.

Auto transport drivers really appreciate it when customers make their vehicles easily accessible. It's like rolling out the red carpet for your car – it makes the whole process smoother and quicker for everyone involved.

Keep loading / unloading space clear.

Before the driver arrives to pick up your car, take a look around the loading area. Are there any obstacles in the way, like trash cans, parked cars, or overhanging branches? If so, clear them out to make a clear pathway for the car carrier.

The easier it is for the driver to access your car, the faster they can load it up and hit the road. Plus, it's just good manners to make things as easy as possible for the folks who are helping you out.

• Remember: When you're getting your car ready for transport, take a few minutes to clear the loading area. It's a small gesture that can go a long way in making the process smooth and hassle-free for everyone involved.
  

Remove Plate and Registration for Safe Keeping

6️⃣ Here's a helpful tip for preparing your car for transport: consider removing the tags but definitely keep your registration and title handy.

It's not absolutely necessary to take off the tags while your vehicle is in transit, but it's definitely a smart move to keep your registration and title with you. Why? Well, let's think about it: anything can happen on the road, right? If there's an unexpected issue or if you need to prove ownership of the vehicle for any reason, having your registration and title on hand can be a lifesaver.

Remove your license plate.

Don't worry about your car's safety during transit – it'll be covered under the care of the car carrier until it reaches its destination. But having those important documents with you just adds an extra layer of security and peace of mind.

Before you send your car off on its journey, take a moment to remove the tags if you want, and definitely make sure you've got your registration and title safely stashed away. It's a small step that can make a big difference if the need ever arises.

Find and Fix any Tire Leaks Prior to Loading Your Vehicle

7️⃣ Here's a key point to keep in mind when preparing your car for transport: make sure your tires are fully inflated. Trust me, it's a big deal. Why? Well, think about it – a car with flat tires isn't safe to load or unload. Not only that, but flat tires can cause damage to both your car's rims and the trailer it's being loaded onto.

Before your car gets picked up for transport, take a quick peek at your tires. Are they looking a little deflated? If so, it's time to take action. Change out any bad tires or fix any pesky air leaks pronto.

Check for tire leaks.

Auto transport companies can't load a vehicle with flat tires. It's just not safe or practical. That's why fixing any leaks or changing out bad tires is such a critical step in getting your vehicle ready for transport.

By making sure your tires are fully inflated, you're not only ensuring the safety of your car during loading and unloading but also preventing potential damage to both your vehicle and the transport trailer. So, don't forget: keeping those tires pumped up is a simple but important part of preparing your car for transport.

Find Oil Leaks and Notify Driver to Avoid Any Issues

8️⃣ Here's an important heads-up for when you're prepping your car for transport: if your vehicle has an oil leak or any other fluid leak, it's crucial to let the driver know.

Why? Well, think about it from the driver's perspective. They're pros at loading cars onto the transport trailer, but they need to know about any potential issues such as oil leaks. If they're aware of it, they can make sure to position your car in a way that minimizes the risk of damage to other vehicles.

Please report oil leaks.

If your car has an oil leak, the driver will likely load it on the bottom of the trailer. This helps prevent any drips or spills from causing damage to the vehicles below yours. But here's the thing: any adjustments needed to the load order will be taken care of by the driver. They're experienced with these situations and know how to handle them safely.

When you're getting your car ready for pickup, take a quick look underneath for any signs of oil leaks. If you spot one, make sure to mention it to the driver. This simple step can help prevent damage to other vehicles on the carrier and ensure a smooth transport experience for everyone involved.

Remove any and all Toll Passes to Avoid Unnecessary Charges

9️⃣ Here's a little heads-up for when your car's on the road: if you've got a toll pass attached to your vehicle, those tolls are gonna get charged as your car passes under bridges and tolls along the way. But here's the kicker: the driver can't be held responsible for those charges – that's on you.

Before your car hits the highway, it's a good idea to remove any toll readers you've got attached. It's a simple step, but it can save you from getting hit with a bill for tolls that you didn't even intend to pay while your car's in transit.

Remove toll passes.

Imagine getting a surprise bill for tolls racked up while your car's being transported – not exactly the kind of surprise you want, right? That's why it's best to just remove the toll pass when you're prepping your vehicle for transport. It's a quick and easy way to avoid any unnecessary charges and keep your wallet happy.

Remove Special Modifications to Avoid Unnecessary Damage

🔟 Here's a crucial tip when it comes to prepping your car for shipping: remove or adjust any special modifications beforehand. Trust me, it'll make the loading process a whole lot easier.

Think about it: if there's anything sticking out or getting in the way, it's only going to slow down the loading process. And let's be real, nobody wants their vehicle to be delayed or risk damage just because of some extra add-ons.

Please remove or adjust special mods.

Before the auto carrier arrives, take the time to remove or adjust any special modifications. Whether it's a spoiler, a bike rack, or some fancy aftermarket lights, get it sorted out beforehand. The last thing you want is for the driver to arrive and have to deal with obstacles that could have been taken care of earlier.

• Remember: the driver isn't responsible for handling any modifications to your car prior to pickup. Nope, that's all on you. So, make sure everything's squared away before they show up to load your vehicle onto the carrier.
  

By taking care of any adjustments or removals ahead of time, you're not only ensuring a smoother loading process but also reducing the risk of any damage to your car. It's all about being proactive and making sure your vehicle's ready to hit the road safely.

Following the above steps will help the auto transport process go smoothly while ensuring your vehicles security. The more prepared your vehicle is for transport, the easier it is for your driver to keep it secured.

Related Links

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• New Customer Guide: How to Safely Ship a Car Online
• Everything to Know: Auto Transport Guide
• Price Factors: How Auto Transport Cost is Calculated