Before your vehicle is picked up, be sure to fill up the gas tank with a quarter tank of gas. This provides enough gas for the car to be loaded on and off the carrier. Too much gas adds weight to the car. According to the Department of Transportation, if your vehicle exceeds its standard gross vehicle weight, the owner may be fined a minimum of $250 overweight fee. Too much gas can also prove extremely dangerous in the event of a collision of some sort, as it is highly flammable. The vehicle should also be taken for a maintenance check before car shipping, and the fluids topped off. Special instructions about how the car should be driven on and off the auto hauler should be given to the driver when he picks up the car for door to door auto transport, or even when handing it into a terminal.
The car must be inspected before car shipping. The best way to do this is to wash the exterior of the car so that any blemishes are exposed, and to carefully inspect the car for any damage. Pictures should be taken of the car, and any damages made note of. During auto transport, cars on an open carrier will be exposed to the same weather conditions if the car was being driven. It is important to also inspect the vehicle when it is delivered to your destination.
Remove any personal items from the vehicle before pick up. Car shipping insurance does not cover personal possessions or anything left in the vehicle. This includes the car’s title, registration, and other documents, and personal devices, including a GPS. If stopped, the auto transport company can also be fined for transporting personal possessions. The trunk must also be cleared of any personal belongings. Another concern is that loose items left in the car could be ejected, resulting in damage.
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