Shipping you vehicle means you are about to ship a valuable belonging across the country. Ensure that all of the necessary preparation steps are done to aid in a safe and successful transport. The transporting company and the driver are responsible for transporting the car to its new home but you are responsible for preparing the automobile for transport before the driver’s arrival. There are a few steps outlined everything that are required to be taken care of before shipping your car and by following these easy steps, you can prepare your car hassle-free.
Wash the Exterior of the Car
Clean yourself or get your vehicle squeaky cleaned thoroughly from top to bottom. It is needed to have a spotless exterior for the next few steps of the car shipping process. Otherwise also if you clean the car now, it will save you work upon delivery when you will already be tired due to the whole moving process. And no point in discussing that it is always nice to have a clean car.
Much Needed Visual Inspection of the Car
As mentioned earlier a clean vehicle helps in completing further preparation. It was important to clean your car before inspection, as dirt, dust, and grime can hide any dents, scratches, discolorations, or paint chips on the exterior of your car. A visual inspection is essential for noting any existing damage. Though it is unlikely that your automobile will get damaged during shipping process but still if it happens, you would be better prepared to recognize any possible new damage other than the previous ones.
Take Enough Photograph of the Car for Your Records
After noting down any existing damage, you should also take enough photographs of your car. Take pictures of any scratches, dents, paint chips, etc. Don’t forget to take pictures from various angles and ensure that the images are of good quality. Keep these pictures for your records so that you can use the images, in combination with any notes, to assist you in completing the condition report. These pictures will help for insurance in case the auto transport company denies any new damage.
After a Visual Inspection of Exterior of the Car, Complete a Closer Inspection too
After already completing a visual inspection around the exterior, be sure to take a closer look of the vehicle. Check the undercarriage for any noticeable leaks and get it repaired as soon as possible. Also note the odometer reading of your car to make sure that your automobile should not be driven often during transport other than to get your vehicle on and off the transport truck.
Make Sure to Carry Out Any Necessary Car Maintenance
Be sure to complete a few general car maintenance tasks if you are transporting your operable vehicle as maintaining your vehicle will ensure that it is ready to be driven immediately after it arrives at your new home.
Following is the car maintenance checklist:
- Check the fluids including Oil, Brake, Engine Coolant, Power Steering, and Washer in the car.
- Fully charge thebattery of the vehicle.
- Be sure to check the tire pressure so that the tires are not over-inflated or under-inflated.
- Don’t fully fill the gas tank in fact empty the gas tank to 1/4 to 1/8 of the full.
Secure the Exterior of the Car
To ensure the protection of all the parts on the exterior of your automobile then either secure or remove altogether all removable parts from your vehicle. These removable parts may include removable ski, bike, and luggage racks. Fold in any retracting antennas and side-view mirrors. Also consider removing any custom spoilers. Be sure that the top of the car is secured enough to keep out damage from weather especially if you own a convertible roof vehicle.
Make Sure to Remove All the Personal Items
Clear all your belongings from your automobile’s interior which may include your GPS and car charger. Removal of personal items decreases the risk of theft, loss, and damage. Personal items, left in your car could get tossed around, causing unnecessary damage to your car and to the items as during transport, your vehicle may move around a bit.
Deactivate All Automatic Parking Passes and/or Toll Tags
Don’t forget to remove automatic parking passes and toll tags as these are not required during transport and leaving your toll tag on your vehicle may collect the fees of every toll that your car will pass through which will definitely not something that you want.
Leave Some Items in the Car
Though all the personal items should be removed from the car for safety purposes, still there are some items that can be kept in your vehicle. These items include a spare tire, emergency kit, jack, and hand tools and most importantly the license plate on your vehicle.
Above said steps may seem unnecessary to you now but these steps will not only save you time and money in the long run but will also make your car ready for the arrival of the driver. When you hire the best car shipping company, they offer you a checklist to prepare your car for shipping. This makes your work a lot easier and speeds up your transportation process, while ensuring ultimate safety.