April 25th, 2023
Tips for Getting Your Car Ready for Auto Transport
Want to make a long-distance move a little easier? Hiring an auto transport service was a great place to start. After you’ve researched auto moving companies, looked into a few quotes, and chosen an auto transport you’re happy with, the next step is to get your vehicle ready for shipping.
Auto moving companies make auto transport a breeze, but it’s not quite as simple as just scheduling a pickup. There are a few things you’ll want to do before your car is moved to help ensure a safe and secure ride to its final destination.
Assemble Your Vehicle Documents
You’ll need to provide your auto transport with a few important vehicle documents, like proof of ownership, insurance, and registration. Save yourself some time and the headache of scrounging through files last minute and get these papers ready ahead of time.
Get Your Car Washed
It might sound a little counterintuitive, especially if you are using an open-air auto transport, but the purpose of cleaning your vehicle before transportation isn’t so it will arrive at its destination clean, but so you can document any pre-existing damage. Damage during auto transport is rare, but you want to have your bases covered, just in case.
Document Any Damage
Back to the point above. Do a thorough walk-around of your vehicle with the auto transport driver, take lots of pictures (there are apps you can download that will time stamp your images), and get written documentation of any nicks, scratches, dents, or other vehicle damage before your carrier leaves.
Get Rid of Personal Items
While cleaning the outside of your car, you should also remove any personal items from inside the vehicle. Old receipts, loose change, charging cables, empty water bottles, sunglasses, and personal identifying information – if it doesn’t need to be there, remove it before moving your car.
If you are using an auto moving company to help as part of a long-distance move, it may be tempting to pack your car full of boxes before it goes. Just know, these items will not be covered by an auto transport company’s insurance, and it may not be worth the risk.
Remove Aftermarket Accessories
If you have car accessories, like a bike rack, ski rack, or rooftop boxes, you might remove them and ship them separately. Although rare, these pricey items can be lost or damaged during transport.
Perform a Maintenance Check
Unless you are moving an inoperable vehicle (which needs to be noted before the auto transport arrives), it’s a good idea to get any lingering maintenance issues taken care of before your car is moved. Flat tires, dead batteries, leaking oil can result in damage and delays during the shipping process.
Let the Gas Tank Run Out
One thing you don’t have to do is fill your gas tank. In fact, you should let it run to about a quarter full before your transport date. Auto moving companies often charge by weight, so shipping your car with a full tank is not going to benefit you at all.
Lock Up, Leave Keys, Turn Off Your Alarm
And lastly, before your car ships, make sure you disable your car alarm (blaring alarms present a danger to drivers trying to concentrate on the road, and it can drain your battery), lock your vehicle, give the driver your keys, and wave bye!
