Call up the auto transporter and ask them any guidelines or pointers that will help you get your car ready. Our tips will tell you mostly everything, but there's no harm in asking. Your transport company has practical experience in shipping cars and they would have encountered many situations, which will be of help to you.
Check and record any damage on your car before you transport it. In almost all cases, you will be required to complete an inspection report upon pickup and delivery, which will include noting the imperfections (dents, dings, scratches, etc.) of the vehicle. Pay careful attention to detail, as this is for the safety of your vehicle.
It is preferred that you empty out the inside of your car – you need to do this because your transporter will not compensate you if anything goes missing from inside your car. Plus, if the items inside have the potential or do cause damage, then you will not be compensated for that. But in most cases, you will be permitted to have a minimal amount of personal belongings secured in your vehicle during transport.
Check the batteries and tires. It is important that they are both full because when your car reaches the destination you don't want to get into a situation where it doesn't start up or move.
Do not to fill up the entire tank with gas, as that will add to the weight of the car. It is preferred that you leave the tank approximately ¼ full.
Check for leakages on all major fluids of your vehicle. Make sure that all tops are properly secured and that there are no loose ends. Do this about 4-5 days before you load the car.
Now it's time to get your car ready to go: Fold all mirrors, seal off the top, push in the antenna and switch off the appliances including the alarm. This may seem like minor adjustments, but they help a lot in the big picture.
If there are ANY damages to your vehicle during loading or unloading, you MUST record all damages on your inspection report. If the damages are not noted, there is no way to prove that the damage was encountered during transport.
If you follow these easy steps, you will minimize your chances in facing any issues with your car transportation.
