7 tips for preparing your car for auto transportation
Essential preparation tips to ensure smooth pickup and protect your vehicle during shipping. Follow these expert guidelines for hassle-free auto transport.
7 essential tips for preparing your car for auto transportation
Proper vehicle preparation is the foundation of successful auto transportation. Taking time to prepare your car correctly before pickup protects your vehicle, prevents delays, and ensures the smoothest possible shipping experience. Most pickup delays and issues stem from inadequate preparation—vehicles that aren't cleaned, documented, or mechanically ready for loading. These problems are entirely preventable with proper planning.
The preparation process serves multiple purposes beyond just getting your car ready for the carrier. It protects you legally by documenting your vehicle's condition, reduces the risk of damage during transport, ensures compliance with carrier requirements, and gives you peace of mind knowing you've done everything right. Following these seven essential tips transforms car shipping from a stressful unknown into a smooth, predictable process.
Tip 1: Thoroughly clean and document your vehicle
Clean your vehicle inside and out before the carrier arrives—this isn't just about appearance, it's about protection. A clean vehicle allows you and the driver to accurately assess its condition, making any existing damage clearly visible. Dirt, dust, and grime can hide scratches, dents, or paint chips that might be attributed to shipping if not documented beforehand. Wash the exterior completely, clean the windows, and vacuum the interior. Once clean, take 15-20 detailed photos from every angle: all four corners, each side, front and back, close-ups of any existing damage, wheels and tires, the interior, and the odometer reading. Use your phone's timestamp feature or email the photos to yourself for date verification. This documentation is your insurance policy—without clear before-photos, proving damage occurred during transport becomes nearly impossible.
Tip 2: Remove all personal items and valuables
Remove everything from your vehicle—and we mean everything. Carrier insurance covers only the vehicle itself, never personal belongings left inside. Items left in the car create multiple problems: they're not insured if damaged, stolen, or lost; they add weight that carriers must account for in their load calculations; loose items can shift during transport and damage your vehicle's interior; and items visible through windows create theft temptation. Empty the trunk completely, remove everything from the cabin including sunglasses holders and door pockets, take out floor mats and cargo covers, remove garage door openers and toll transponders, and clear out any aftermarket accessories like phone mounts or GPS units. The only exception some carriers allow is up to 100 pounds secured in the trunk, but even this carries risk since it's not insured. For relocations, ship belongings with your household goods where they're properly covered.
Tip 3: Check and adjust fluid levels and tire pressure
Verify all fluid levels are adequate but not overfilled, and ensure proper tire pressure before the carrier arrives. Check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and washer fluid—they should be at recommended levels but not overfilled, as fluids expand with temperature changes during transport. Inspect for any leaks underneath the vehicle, as significant leaks may cause carriers to refuse loading. Check tire pressure on all four tires plus the spare, inflating to manufacturer specifications listed on the door jamb sticker. Properly inflated tires make loading safer and prevent potential flat spots during transport. While checking tires, inspect their condition—severely worn tires might not hold air during the multi-day journey. If you discover low fluids or tire issues, address them before pickup day. Carriers expect vehicles to be in good mechanical condition for safe loading and transport, and these checks take only 10-15 minutes but prevent potential pickup delays.
Tip 4: Keep fuel tank at 1/4 full or less
Reduce your fuel level to 1/4 tank or less before the carrier arrives—this isn't just a carrier preference, it's a safety and weight requirement. A full tank of gas weighs 100-150 pounds and serves no purpose during transport since the vehicle won't run while on the carrier. Carriers must carefully balance weight across their multi-car loads for safe highway travel, and excess fuel in every vehicle disrupts these calculations. Lower fuel levels reduce fire risk in the unlikely event of an accident during transport. Carriers need only enough fuel to drive your vehicle onto and off the carrier—typically 1/8 to 1/4 tank provides plenty for loading and unloading. If your vehicle has a large tank (trucks, SUVs), this becomes even more important. Plan to use up your fuel before pickup or fuel up after delivery. This simple step helps carriers operate safely while saving you money on unnecessary fuel weight.
Tip 5: Disable alarms and remove toll devices
Disable all alarm systems and remove toll transponders before shipping to prevent complications during transport. Car alarms can trigger from the vibration and movement during highway travel, potentially draining your battery or causing disruption at overnight stops. Provide the carrier with clear instructions for disabling any alarm systems, or better yet, disable them yourself before pickup. Remove toll transponders like E-ZPass, FasTrak, SunPass, or similar devices—leaving them in the vehicle can result in toll charges as the carrier travels through different states and toll roads. Also remove parking permits, garage access cards, gate openers, and any other location-specific access devices that serve no purpose during transport. If your vehicle has a tracking system that sends low-battery alerts, inform the carrier or temporarily disable alerts if possible. The goal is making your vehicle as trouble-free as possible during its journey, preventing unexpected battery drain, toll charges, or other complications.
Tip 6: Secure or remove loose parts and accessories
Inspect your vehicle for loose parts, aftermarket accessories, and items that could detach or get damaged during transport. Retract or remove the antenna to prevent damage from overhead clearances or loading equipment. Check that all aftermarket accessories are securely attached—spoilers, ground effects kits, custom bumpers, running boards, bike racks, and roof racks should be tight or removed if questionable. Fold in or remove side mirrors if they extend significantly and could catch on equipment. Secure or remove any custom parts that weren't installed by the manufacturer. Check convertible tops to ensure they're properly closed and latched. Verify all windows and doors close and latch properly. Inspect underbody panels and splash guards for loose clips or fasteners. The highway speeds and vibration during multi-day transport can loosen parts that seem secure when parked. Taking 15 minutes to inspect and secure everything prevents damage to your accessories and prevents lost parts during the 1,000+ mile journey.
Tip 7: Have all required documentation ready
Gather all required documents before pickup day to ensure smooth handoff with the carrier driver. You'll need a valid driver's license or government-issued ID proving you're authorized to ship the vehicle. Have your current vehicle registration showing you own or are authorized to transport the vehicle. Bring proof of insurance with current effective dates. If you own the vehicle outright, have the title available. For financed vehicles, bring a letter from your lienholder authorizing transport. Leased vehicles require a copy of the lease agreement. If someone else will handle pickup or delivery on your behalf, prepare a signed power of attorney or authorization letter with their name and contact information. Keep copies of your insurance certificate, the carrier's Certificate of Insurance, your written contract, and the quote confirmation. Having everything organized in a folder prevents delays and shows professionalism. The carrier can't legally take your vehicle without proper documentation, so missing papers mean rescheduling pickup and potential delay fees.
Key takeaways
- Clean your vehicle thoroughly and take 15-20 detailed photos from all angles before pickup for protection
- Remove all personal items—carrier insurance covers only the vehicle, not belongings left inside
- Keep fuel at 1/4 tank or less for safety and weight requirements during transport
- Disable alarm systems and remove toll transponders to prevent battery drain and unexpected charges
- Have all documentation ready including ID, registration, insurance, and title or lienholder authorization
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