Introduction

Having your car shipped across the country can be a nerve-wracking experience.

Proper preparation is essential to ensure your prized possession gets from A to B without damage.

Here, we explain how to get your car ready for transport step by step, including cleaning it from the outside and ensuring everything mechanically is in order.

If you adhere to these guidelines, the risk of damage while shipping will be minimized, and only after that can you ensure a stress-free shipping process. Let us get started.

Step-by-step preparation guide

Having your vehicle prepped right is essential for safely delivering it to its final place.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your vehicle before getting your car picked up:

Exterior preparation

Thoroughly wash and dry off your car, making it easier to identify damage.

• 
  Photograph pre-existing damage: Snap a photo of any dings, dents, or other blemishes to safeguard yourself against potential disputes on claims.
• 
  
• No loose items: A clean pickup bed and recently vacuumed interior preserves your customer's investments. Take down antennas before lowering the wash boom!
• 
  

Every car needs air in the tires to run efficiently, so your mechanic will check tire pressure and condition.

Interior preparation

• 
  Everywhere should be empty: Empty every corner of the interior, including in your trunk, to avoid forgetting valuable items.
• 
  
• A cleaner car interior means less vacuuming at your new home. For instance, leather seats can be protected with soft covers so as not to scratch and stain them.
• 
  Look for leaks or spills. Correct any issues causing these before shipment to prevent damage to the car and your items.
• 
  

Mechanical checks

• 
  Check those fluids: Ensure the oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering level are complete.
• 
  Ensure the battery is full: The color of a good authority that must be present during know-it-all will also lead to prevention moving.
• 
  Switch off the car alarm: This will help minimize the risk of an accidental trigger while your car is in transit.
• 
  
• Store your gear correctly in the trunk: If you leave any items that will remain there, be sure they cannot move around and potentially harm other parts of your car.

Additional tips

• 
  Car cover: If your car will be sitting for less than a month and is being stored inside (even in an unheated indoor facility) or outside but not under any trees, you should still remove the fabric part of over-the-top convertible tops.
• 
  
• Get a copy of your car registration and insurance papers - Keep these handy for the shipping company.
• 
  
• Go over the details with your car shipping company: Leave instructions for your car shipping company.
• 
  

Taking these steps will go a long way in ensuring your car makes it to its destination safely.

Conclusion

In this post, you can learn about adequately preparing your car for shipping, and it will arrive at its designated destination without being damaged or dinged.

Spending that time cleaning and photographing your vehicle - alongside keeping it secured correctly during transport - can have a seriously positive impact on the condition in which it arrives.

If you follow these steps, you know you have done everything possible to secure your car. Please consult a car transport company if you want more information or need help with your auto shipping.

Also, check out the page on door-to-door auto transport to know more.