Preparing your car for shipping is a crucial step to ensure it arrives safely and without any issues. Here’s a detailed guide on how to prepare your car for shipping:
1. Clean Your Car – Exterior: Wash the car thoroughly. A clean car allows for a more accurate inspection of any existing scratches, dents, or other damages before shipping.
Interior: Clean out the inside, removing all personal belongings. Items left inside the car can shift during transport, potentially causing damage.
2. Inspect and Document the Car’s Condition
Take Photos: Capture clear, dated photos of your car from multiple angles, including close-ups of any existing damage (scratches, dents, etc.). This documentation is crucial for filing a claim if any damage occurs during transport.
Written Record: Note down the car’s current condition, including the odometer reading, in a written record.
3. Remove Personal Items
Inside the Car: Remove all personal belongings, as most auto transport companies are not responsible for items left inside the vehicle.
Custom Accessories: Remove any custom accessories, such as GPS devices, aftermarket stereos, or other removable electronics, as they are not covered by the transport company’s insurance.
4. Check for Leaks and Mechanical Issues
Fluid Leaks: Inspect your car for any fluid leaks. If you notice any, have them repaired before shipping to avoid complications during transport.
Battery and Tires: Ensure the battery is fully charged, and the tires are properly inflated. If the car is being transported on an open railcar, ensure the battery is secured to prevent damage.
5. Disable Alarms and Anti-Theft Devices
Deactivate any alarms or anti-theft devices before shipping to avoid them going off during transit. If the device cannot be deactivated, provide instructions to the shipping company on how to disable it if necessary.
6. Check the Fuel Level
Fuel Tank: Keep the fuel tank at around a quarter full. This reduces the car’s weight for transport and prevents fuel from shifting during transit, which could be a safety concern.
7. Remove Toll Tags and Parking Passes
Remove any toll tags, parking passes, or other removable items attached to the windshield or elsewhere in the car. These can be charged inadvertently as the car passes through tolls, and they could also be lost or damaged.
8. Secure Loose Parts
Exterior: Ensure that any loose parts on the exterior of the car, such as side mirrors or antennas, are secured or removed. If possible, retract antennas and fold in side mirrors.
Convertible Tops: If your car is a convertible, ensure the top is secure and closed tightly to prevent damage from weather or debris.
9. Disable Electronic Toll Devices
If you have an electronic toll device, like an EZ-Pass, remove or deactivate it to avoid unnecessary charges during transport.
10. Prepare a Spare Key
Provide the shipping company with a spare key to your car, including the ignition key and any other necessary keys (e.g., trunk or gas cap). The original keys should be kept with you for security reasons.
11. Review the Transport Company’s Guidelines
Company Requirements: Some shipping companies have specific requirements for vehicle preparation, so be sure to review any instructions or guidelines provided by the company.
Insurance Coverage: Verify that the transport company’s insurance covers the vehicle during the entire shipping process. If needed, consider purchasing additional insurance.
12. Check Tire Pressure
Ensure the tires are properly inflated. Over or under-inflated tires can be damaged during loading, unloading, or transport.
13. Set Emergency Brake
Leave the emergency brake on to prevent the car from moving during transport.
14. Document Everything
Ensure all documentation is in order, including your contract with the shipping company, any special instructions, and your inspection records.
By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your car is well-prepared for shipping and reduce the risk of damage during transit.
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