With busy lifestyles and a ton of reasons for needing to move cars, vehicle shipping is becoming more and more popular. For example, maybe you have a variety of vehicles, and to simplify a move, you’re opting to ship one or more of them. Or maybe you’re a savvy snowbird who’s figured out that you can fly south and enjoy warmer, sunnier climes all that much faster if you ship your car.
Most car transport companies offer basic recommendations and requirements for preparing your car for shipment – but be sure to check with your chosen company. However, if you follow these 10 steps, your car will be well-prepared for efficient, stress-free shipping:
1. Perform Necessary Maintenance
To streamline the shipping process and avoid delays or added fees, car transport companies suggest that customers perform basic maintenance before shipping:
- Fluid Leaks – Ask your mechanic to check for any fluid leaks. Car transporters want to be able to assure their customers that a car on an upper ramp won’t leak fluid onto the roof of a car below.
- Fluids – Top up the oil, coolant, brake, power steering, and windshield washer fluids.
- Tire Pressure – Open-air carriers have steep ramps that cars must motor up before they’re secured. You want to make sure your tires are properly inflated for loading and unloading.
- Battery Condition – Ask your mechanic to check your battery to make sure it’s fully charged. If the driver loading or unloading your car can’t start it due to a dead battery, you’ll be charged for the inconvenience and added time involved in getting your car on and/or off the carrier.
- Mechanical Issues – If your car is sputtering or misbehaving, be sure to have any mechanical issues taken care of before shipment. If the transport driver can’t load your car because the engine dies on the loading ramp, you may be charged additional fees for delays.
2. Remove Outside Accessories
Many of today’s vehicles are fitted out with accessories that express our hobbies and interests. Maybe your car has a fancy bike rack or a cargo carrier. Car transport companies recommend that you remove any accessories that might get damaged on the transport truck. In many cases, add-on accessories aren’t covered by the transporter’s insurance. Remove:
- Retractable Antennas
- Rooftop Cargo Boxes
- Bike and/or Ski Racks
- Custom Spoilers
- Accessory Mirrors
If your car has a factory-installed accessory that’s firmly attached, you may not have to remove it, but check with the transport company to make sure.
3. Remove Personal and Unattached Items From the Inside
- Most Car Shippers Don’t Allow Personal Belongings – If you’re shipping your car because you’re moving, it may be tempting to fill that big empty space inside the vehicle with some belongings. But most car transporters won’t permit you to fill your car with personal belongings. Why?
- Number 1 – anything that isn’t factory-installed won’t be insured for theft or damage.
- Number 2 – when the transport driver stops at state weigh stations, often the cars are inspected. The driver can potentially be fined if personal belongings are found in the cars that are being shipped.
- Scan the Inside of Your Car – Look for items that you normally keep tucked away in visors, the glove compartment, console cubbies, under seats, in-seat pockets, etc.
- Remove phone holders, cables, GPS devices, sunglasses, etc.
- If you feel you absolutely must transport something personal in your car, load it in the trunk to keep it out of sight at inspection stations.
- Toll Tags – Also remove any toll tags, toll stickers, or parking passes. If a toll tag is left in your car, the toll agency will continue to charge fees as the transporter travels through toll stations.
4. Key Items to Leave in the Car
There are certain items that should be left in or on the car. Be sure the vehicle has:
- A Properly Inflated Spare Tire
- Jack
- Vehicle Emergency Kit
- License Plate with Current Registration Tags
5. Collect All Required Documents
The car shipping company will require specific documentation – especially documents that prove you own or have permission to ship the car. Give yourself plenty of time to collect the required documents before the shipping date. Typically, they’ll request:
- Bill of Sale or Other Ownership Documentation
- Vehicle Title
- Vehicle Registration
- Proof of Auto Insurance Coverage
- Identification
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- Current, unexpired driver’s license or passport
- The name on the identification must match the name of registration and insurance
6. Wash Your Car – Inside and Out
You may wonder, why do I need to wash my car if it’s just going to get dirty on an open carrier? When your car is clean, you and the shipping driver or inspector can more easily see if there is any existing damage. Even slight scratches, dings, and chipped paint, need to be documented before shipment for insurance purposes. Also, you’ll be able to more easily notice any new damage that may possibly occur during shipment.
7. Document Pre-Shipment Condition with Photos
Damage is rare in the car shipping industry, but it can happen. When you take photos of all sides of your car (and the top if possible), you then have clear and concise documentation of the vehicle’s condition before shipment.
- Set Date and Time – Set your phone’s camera app to date and time so that there’s no doubt as to when the photos were taken.
- Where to Photograph – It’s best to take the photos at the terminal yard just before the car is loaded. For door-to-door service, take photos right before the vehicle is loaded.
- Photograph for Both Open and Enclosed Carriers – Even if you’re choosing to ship your car in an enclosed carrier where there’s less risk of damage from road debris or the elements, having photo documentation helps eliminate any disputes when your car is delivered.
- Document Odometer – As long as you have your camera set to date and time, take a photo of your odometer so you can be sure that upon delivery, your car hasn’t been driven during the shipping period.
8. Make Sure Your Gas Tank is No More Than ¼ Full
Check with the transport company to find out what their gas tank level requirement is. Most companies specify no more than ⅛ to ¼ tank to limit unnecessary weight. Plan ahead and regulate how much fuel you buy and use before shipping so that you don’t go over the limit.
9. Lock the Car and Be Sure to Leave an Extra Set of Keys
If you’ll be leaving your car at a pick-up terminal, be sure to lock it for safety. If you forget to leave an extra set of keys, the driver won’t be able to load your car and it will just sit at the terminal until you’re notified. Don’t give your only set of keys to the driver – get a spare set made.
10. Inoperable Vehicle
- Inoperable Vehicle – It’s not unusual for transport companies to ship inoperable cars.
- Notify Shipping Company Well in Advance – If you want to ship a car that isn’t running, you must notify the car transport company well ahead of the shipping date.
- Enclosed Carrier – Very likely, the company will require you to ship on an enclosed carrier. Enclosed carriers can deal with inoperable cars because they use hydraulic lifts to raise the car into and off the truck.
Now that you’re armed with the details of how to prepare your car for shipping, you can put any worries or concerns behind you. You’re ready to take the steps to ensure your car will be safely and efficiently transported!
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