subject: Getting Your Car Ready For Transport: A Few Tips [print this page] There are many reasons why you may need to transport your vehicle using a car shipping service: a transcontinental move, the sale of the vehicle to an out-of-state buyer, a child going away to college, or a host of others. However, for the vehicle to arrive at its destination safely you must do your part to prepare it for travel: here are some tips.
--Remove all loose items from the inside of the vehicle
As you might expect, loose items will shift around a lot during transport. For your own peace of mind as well as for the safety of your car, remove items such as tools, CD cases, emergency containers of washer fluid or motor oil, car seats, and so forth. Even if you yourself will be retrieving the vehicle at the end of its journey, you should leave nothing inside during its transport.
--Thoroughly wash and clean the vehicle inside and out
The car shipping service will require a visual inspection at the time of drop-off, much the same as with rental cars. The purpose of this inspection is to account for any existing scratches, dents, or other damage that your vehicle already has. This way, everyone will be on the same page when assessing condition at the end of the vehicle's journey. In order to make a good assessment, make sure that there is no mud, dirt, or anything else on the chassis that might hide existing damage. The car shipping service will only be responsible for any damage that was not visible at the time of the original inspection.
--Make sure the gas tank is at quarter-tank level or below
There will be many vehicles on the transport, and the less weight the better. So make sure your vehicle has a minimum of fuel left in it at the time of drop-off.
--Secure or take off any exterior accessories
Fold in side mirrors; remove antennas if possible as well as spoilers, fog lights, or anything else that "sticks out" unnaturally. You are responsible for the safety of these kinds of items, not the car shipping service.
--Make sure the car is in good overall condition
There should be no leaks at all, and all fluids (except gas) should be at optimum levels, the tires inflated and the battery charged. In the unlikely event that your vehicle has to be unloaded prior to reaching its final destination, its drivability will come in handy.
--Disable your alarm system
If your alarm accidentally goes off, the car transport driver may have to resort to drastic means to shut it off.
These are just some of the basics; your car transport service will inform you of any other specific requirements they may have. Ultimately, it's up to you to make sure your car is prepared to have a safe trip.
by: Art Gib
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