In 2020, there were almost 228.2 million licensed drivers in the US, meaning that driving is an important part of daily life in our country.
There comes a time when we have to relocate, and usually, we bring along our vehicles instead of buying a new one at our destination. For many, shipping a car is the more economical choice, especially if their vehicles are older and they can’t afford to take time off work.
If this sounds like you, then you’ll want to know what to do to prepare your vehicle for auto shipping. Read on to find out.
Wash Your Car
You’ll want to first wash your car’s exterior. This does more than remove dust and debris; it allows you to detect preexisting damage, so it’s easier to see if it’s been marred during car transport.
Do a Thorough Inspection
After you’ve washed your car, do a complete inspection of it. Note any current scratches and dents it has, and check the undercarriage too. Take pictures throughout so you have “before” images to compare any future damages with.
If you find any leaks or serious issues, then take it to your nearest auto shop. Have your vehicle fixed before shipping it. Not only can a non-working car cost more to transport, but its issues can be grounds for the shipper to refuse service.
Clean the Inside of Your Vehicle
It probably won’t be a smooth ride, and the hauler will go over bumps and other obstacles. This will cause the vehicles inside to bounce around, meaning that anything loose inside will fly around. As a result, your car’s interior can suffer from scratches and dents, and your belongings can break too.
Gather up everything that’s loose, such as GPS devices, phone holders, pens, spare change, air fresheners, etc. The fewer things that are left inside, the better.
Remove Accessories
On that note, you should remove accessories from the interior and exterior of your car too. For example, if you have custom spoilers, ski racks, bike racks, or even removable antennae, you should take all of these off. You should also fold in your side mirrors if possible.
In addition, remove your toll tags and disable your car alarms. You don’t want to be accidentally charged, nor do you want the driver to get annoyed at alarms they can’t turn off easily.
Leave the Gas Tank 1/4th Full
It’s best if the hauler is as light as possible to cut down on the trucker’s fuel expenses. So you need to leave your vehicle’s gas tank at 1/4th full at the most.
This amount is just enough to drive your car onto the hauler and off to your destination. Shipping a car across states costs a good deal even if you get competitive prices, so don’t add to that by filling up on more gas than necessary.
Make Sure Auto Shipping Goes Smoothly
Auto shipping is very convenient since you don’t have to spend time driving your vehicle across the country, nor do you have to put unnecessary wear and tear on it. As long as you take the proper steps to prep it before the big day, it should go smoothly.
So do yourself a favor: reduce stress for your upcoming move by taking advantage of auto transport services. It can end up saving you both time and money in the long run!
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