Prepare Your Car For Shipping

Preparing your car for shipping from one location to another can be daunting, especially if you need to familiarize yourself with the process. That’s why following some basic car shipping steps in advance is essential to ensure everything goes safely and efficiently.

Car Shipping Prep Tips: Your Guide to Safe and Stress-Free Transportation

Whether you’re shipping a car across the country, sending your child off to college, or going on an extended vacation, there are many things to consider when you decide to use a car shipping company. Making sure your vehicle is adequately prepared and ready to go will save time and last-minute stress in the long run.

Here, we’ll provide some essential car shipping prep tips to help you get started.

Choose a Reputable Car Shipping Company

The first step in preparing for car shipping is to choose a reputable and reliable car shipping company. There are many companies out there, and it can be challenging to know which one to choose. When evaluating potential companies, consider their experience, customer reviews, and price. Make sure to also ask about their insurance coverage and the support they offer during the shipping process.

Clean Your Car

Before your car is shipped, it’s a good idea to clean it thoroughly. It will not only make your vehicle look better, but it will also help to identify any existing damage that may need attention. When cleaning your car, please take photos of any scratches, dents, or other imperfections so you can document their existence before shipping.

Remove Personal Items From Your Car

Removing personal items from your car before it is shipped is essential, including GPS devices, cell phones, and other things you wouldn’t want to leave in your vehicle during transit. Additionally, remove any after-market additions, such as spoilers or roof racks, as they can quickly become damaged during transit. Do not keep any valuable items in your vehicle. Remember that the carrier is responsible only for your car, not for any additional items you have confined to your trunk. Rarely is anything stolen during car transport, but why tempt anyone?

Secure Loose Parts On the Vehicle

Before shipping, securing any loose parts on your car is also essential. That includes items like antennas, hood ornaments, and mirrors. Protect those parts during transit to ensure they are damaged. Removing or wrapping them in protective material is a good idea.

Provide Detailed Vehicle & Contact Information

When preparing for car shipping, it’s crucial to provide your car shipping company with detailed information about your car. That includes information about its make, model, and year, as well as its current condition. Additionally, be sure to provide the company with information about your pick-up and delivery locations and your desired shipping dates.

Get A Vehicle Inspection Before Shipping Your Car

Finally, before your car is shipped, it’s a good idea to have it inspected by a professional. That will help identify potential issues or problems needing attention before shipping.

Only A Quarter Tank Of Gas

Carriers prefer only about a quarter tank of gas in the vehicle, so it’s good to have that in mind upon placing your order. The fuel in your tank is unnecessary extra weight, and too much might spill onto other vehicles.

Shipping Contacts Arranged At The Beginning & End

If you can’t be present at either end, please designate someone else to inspect the vehicle with the driver. We recommend that at both the origination and destination.

Disable Alarms and Security Systems On Your Car

Before shipping your car, disable any alarms and security systems. That will prevent the alarm from sounding during transport and causing a disturbance.

Check Your Car’s Other Fluids

Check your car’s fluids, such as oil and coolant, to ensure they are at the proper levels. If the levels are low, add more liquid to ensure your car runs smoothly during transport.

Check Your Tires

Check the tires on your car to ensure they have the proper air pressure and are in good condition. If the tires are too worn or damaged, replace them before shipping. Loading a car with low air pressure or flat tires is very difficult.

Conclusion

Following these car shipping prep tips ensures that your car transports safely and efficiently. Whether you’re shipping your car across the country or just across town, these tips will help you get started on the right foot.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator

Direct Express Auto Transport originated the instant car shipping quote calculator in 2004. It is still the best, most sophisticated, reliable tool available anywhere online. We offer three options that we call tiers of car shipping estimates. The standard rate is the cheapest car shipping quote, but it may take longer. Use it if you are patient. The expedited car shipping rate is most recommended, and we have countless satisfied customers because the shipping process tends to go quicker. The rush rate is our highest level of car shipping service, and we have many customers who are glad they went with that method.