Car Transport Preparation
If you've received your car transport estimates and have selected a car transport service there are some preparations you need to take before your auto transport company comes to pick up your vehicle or you leave it at the car transport service's terminal.
Taking these steps ahead of time will minimize or eliminate problems that could arise from poor preparation:
- Unless you are transporting an inoperable vehicle, such as a non-running antique or classic car, and your car transport service is aware of that, have the vehicle serviced to make sure it starts, stops, and rolls as it should.
- Check your fluids, tire pressure and battery.
- If you're moving the car to a different climate, prep it for the new climate car by having the air conditioning serviced, the antifreeze protection increased, or by using the proper viscosity oil for the new area.
- If at all possible, have any fluid leakage problems corrected. If it's not possible let your car transport service know ahead of time so there are no surprises later.
- Make sure you'll have a full set of keys to your vehicle available to give to the car transport company. If you need to make any extra keys, do so in advance and make sure they work.
- Remove all personal items from your vehicle. For one thing, transporting cars and other vehicles with personal effects inside is against the law. Secondly, there may be no insurance coverage for any items left inside. You should leave the spare tire and jack in the trunk of the car.
- Thoroughly wash the car and clean the interior. If you are transporting a vehicle overseas, also have the undercarriage washed.
- Secure or remove any non-permanent accessories, such as bolt-on roof racks, spoilers, oversized mirrors, etc. Lower or remove all antennas. If you have an E-Z pass transponder or similar toll device, remove it.