Whether you’re shipping a car across the country or just locally, there are several things that you must do to ensure it’s safe and secure.
One of the most important things you can do is ensure your vehicle is in good condition. This includes noting any existing dents, scratches, or cosmetic damage that may be present before transporting your car.
Check the Battery
Before loading your car onto a hauler, it’s best to check the battery. When you turn on the ignition, the battery supplies power to the vehicle’s engine, lights, and electronics.
To test the battery’s voltage, hook a multimeter to the battery’s positive and negative terminals. The display should read between 12.2 and 12.6 volts.
Check the Tires
Before New Jersey to Florida auto transport, ensure the tires are in good condition. If they’re not, you may find your vehicle damaged when it is in transit.
Tires play a crucial role in handling your car, so it’s essential to check their pressure and tread depth before transporting your vehicle. A low-pressure set of tires can damage the rims and wheels of your car during transportation, so be sure to keep them at a high-pressure level.
Check the Oil
Depending on where you’re shipping your car, putting some winter-grade oil into your engine may be a good idea before loading it onto the truck. This will make your vehicle perform much better during the long transport haul.
The best way to test this hypothesis is to closely examine your engine’s oil level using the dipstick or, if you’re uncomfortable with that, a small screwdriver. This will give you a clear picture of how much oil your vehicle is using.
Check the Tire Pressure
You want your car to be safe and well-maintained during the transport process. This includes having the right amount of air in your tires.
When a tire is under-inflated, it increases rolling resistance and wears the tread less evenly. This can affect fuel economy and handling.
There are a few ways to check the pressure in your tires. One is to check your car’s owner’s manual or the sticker on the driver’s door frame.
Clean the Interior
One of the best ways to ensure your car makes it to its destination in one piece is to ensure it’s clean. Dirt can hide minor dings and dents, so wiping it down and getting it looking its best before the transport truck arrives at your door is important.
To do it right, you should also take the time to vacuum and wipe down the interior. This includes the trunk, the front and rear seats, and all surfaces above and below the floor, such as the dashboard and center console.
Clean the Exterior
Before you ship your car, you should thoroughly clean the exterior. This will make it easier for the driver to inspect and spot any existing damage before it goes on the road.
Documenting any dents, scratches, or paint chips on the car before it leaves your driveway is also a good idea. This will serve as proof in the unlikely event that your vehicle is damaged during transport.
Take Time-Stamped Photos
Taking time-stamped photos before and after transporting your car is important for documenting any damage that may occur during the transportation process. It also makes it easier for workers to document defects and issues on-site, which is often crucial evidence when making claims.
There are several easy-to-use apps available that make it simple to add a time stamp to photos. These apps allow you to choose the position, size, color, font, and transparency of the date stamp on the photo.
Make Special Notes for the Driver
Before transporting your car, note any special quirks or mechanical problems. You should also prepare written instructions so your driver can properly handle your vehicle during its shipping trip.
A few of these things might seem like unnecessary steps to you, but they are necessary for safety and security. Plus, they will make your auto transport process easier. Specially you must use auto transport calculator before choosing the transporting company as usually companies offering correct prices give more care to your product
Prepare Written Handling Instructions
Car shipping is a great way to move your vehicle across the country or sell it for a good price. However, there are some precautions you should take to ensure a safe shipment.
One of the most important things to do before preparing your car for auto transport is to make written handling instructions. These will give the driver an idea of how your car should be loaded and unloaded on the transport truck.
