Shipping your car across the country is less expensive and tedious than you may have thought. You can save time and money by planning and taking the following steps.
Inspect your vehicle for any fluid leaks – especially in the engine compartment and under the car chassis. If you find any, have them fixed before your shipment date.
Check Your Tires
Whether you are a family moving across the country, a business relocating to a new city, or a military member preparing to move, car shipping is one of the most essential steps in your move. The process can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. By following these easy tips, you can ensure that your vehicle is ready for the long haul and arrives at its destination in excellent condition.
It’s also a good idea to thoroughly wash your vehicle before shipment day. It is simpler for the carrier to spot and document any dings, scratches, or paint chips on a clean car.
In addition, check your tires to ensure they are correctly inflated. Over or under-inflated tires can be dangerous during transport and may damage your car or other vehicles on the trailer.
Check Your Battery
You will want to have a fully charged battery for the duration of the shipment. It may sound like an obvious tip, but a dead battery could cost you a significant fee.
Washing your car is a clever idea before shipping it, especially if your journey will take several days. A clean car will help you identify any scratches, dings, or other imperfections that may not have been noticeable when it was new. It will also make it easier to document and photograph these imperfections for comparison at delivery. fake id
Remove any medication, important documents, and loose items from your car. You will give the hauler only one key and the fob, so keeping a spare set with you is a good idea. Additionally, ensure you have a quarter tank of gas left in your car, as most shipping companies ask for it to be filled up when they load your vehicle onto their trailers.
Check Your Oil
When you’re preparing to ship your car across the country, you want it to arrive at its destination in good condition. Ensuring the oil is at the right level is a good idea.
To check the oil, open your hood and locate the dipstick (which usually has a brightly-colored plastic handle). Then, wipe the dipstick clean with a cloth or paper towel. There should be two marks notched into the dipstick for maximum and minimum oil levels. If the oil is between the minimum and maximum levels, shipping your car is OK.
Also, removing personal items from your vehicle before shipping is a good idea, as insurance typically doesn’t cover them during transit. It is crucial if you choose open carrier shipping, which will need your car to pass through numerous towns and states.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Your tires should be at the pressure specified by your vehicle’s manufacturer to ensure optimum performance, safety, and fuel economy. If your tires are underinflated, they will wear out faster and have less traction, while overinflated tires will cause them to blow out or overheat.
You’ll need a reliable tire pressure gauge, which you can get for a reasonable price from any hardware shop or gas station, to check your tire pressure. It’s best to check your tire pressure when the tires are cold, as the temperature of the tires can affect their PSI reading.
Additionally, now is an excellent time to take anything out of the car, including any medication, critical papers, and anything else unnecessary for the journey. It will help keep your vehicle safe and clean for transport and save on fuel costs since a carrier will only drive 1 or 2 miles during shipping.
Check Your Tires for Leaks
It is advisable to check for fluid leaks if you are moving your car across the nation. A leaking vehicle can damage other cars being shipped alongside it, so you want to fix any leaks before shipping day.
In addition to checking your fluids, you also want to ensure the tires are inflated correctly, and your radiator is topped off with antifreeze. Make sure your battery is charged and secure as well.
You should also clean your car and take photos from a few angles to log any dings, scratches, paint chips, or dents that could be damaged in transit. It will be easier for you and the carrier to spot these issues if they are documented. This step will save you time and money in the long run, especially if your car is shipped via secure transport.
Check Your Windshield
If your car has aftermarket additions, like a spoiler kit, custom hood, fender flares, or side skirts, remove them before you ship them. These extra parts can get damaged during transport and may block the driver’s line of sight when driving.
Give your car a thorough cleaning before shipping it, especially the exterior. A clean car is easier to inspect, and you will have a better chance of finding any scratches or dings. It’s also a good idea to disable your alarm and deactivate your electronic toll pass so you don’t get charged for tolls on the way to your new home.
Finally, take close-up photos of your vehicle from all angles. These will help document the condition of your car at the time of pickup and will serve as proof of any damage during shipment.