Whether you need your vehicle transported because you’re moving to a new home, sending your vintage car to a show, or to your college kid a few states away, it’s important to pay attention to the steps required to prepare your vehicle for transportation. Naturally, you will choose the most reliable vehicle transport company you can find, and they will do what it takes to protect your car.
It’s important to note that when you deal with a vehicle transportation company, they will not drive your car all the way to its destination and deliver it to a driveway. No. Your car will be loaded onto a large truck that carries multiple cars. Depending on the options selected, they will either deliver it to its destination or to the company’s depot, from where you will have to arrange collection.
Don’t neglect to properly prepare your vehicle for transportation, as it will save you money and possible inconvenience.
6 Steps to Prepare Your Vehicle for Transportation
If you have a certain expectation about the condition in which you want your vehicle to arrive, read on. We will explain how to prepare your vehicle for transportation.
#1 – Clean your car
If your car is dirty, you may not see certain dents, scratches and dings. Wash it properly outside and clean the inside too, making sure you remove any personal belongings, spare change, air fresheners, and electronics. Take photos of any existing damage.
#2 – Disable the alarm
The last thing you want is for your alarm to blare all the way to its new destination. Do yourself (and the truck driver!) a favor and disable the alarm and immobilizer systems.
#3 – Look for leaks
If your car has a leak, the auto transport company may refuse to load it onto the truck. Take your car to a reliable mechanic and have them check and document your car’s condition at least a week before the shipping date. If there’s any issue, you will have time to have it repaired. Ways to check if you car has a fluid leak here.
#4 – Check the tire pressure
Just as it’s important to ensure your tires are not over-inflated or under-inflated while you prepare your vehicle for transportation. Tire damage can occur during loading or unloading, but it should not be a problem if your tires are properly inflated. What’s the correct tire pressure? Our fellows at Edmunds covered that subject very well here.
#5 – Empty the gas tank
Your gas tank should be about 25% full when you prepare your vehicle for transportation. It will only be driven apart from onto and off the transport truck, so no additional gas will be needed.
#6 – Keep a set of keys
While you prepare your vehicle for transportation, be sure that you have a working set of extra keys. You will have to give the vehicle transportation company a set of keys, which they will return when you collect your car. But it’s still a good idea to have an extra set handy just in case.
While it may seem like a lot of effort to prepare your vehicle for transportation, all the steps in the process are important to ensure your vehicle arrives safely at its destination. Need a good quote on transporting your vehicle? Get in touch with Nationwide Auto Transportation today.
