If you are looking to ship your car, you should always prepare it before shipment. These essential 5 steps will help to better ensure your car’s safety during transport. Whether you are looking to move your car a short distance or long distance, read the checklist below for insider tips before you begin moving.

  1. Take Out All of Your Belongings from the Car – Make sure to clean the inside of your car and take out all of your belongings. If anything is missing, insurance will not cover it. Be sure not to have any loose items in your car that can cause damage when moved around by the vehicle transporter.
  2. Wash Your Car – You should always wash your car before shipment so it easier to identify if there is any damage to your car before your car is shipped to its destination.
  3. Check Your Car for Damage and Take a Photo Before Shipment – You should then take a picture of your car to have for documentation and take a picture after the car arrives in case you believe the car was damaged.
  4. Disable Alarms and Remove Custom Accessories – All alarms should be disabled since many cars have alarms that cannot easily be turned off. This is also the case with custom features on cars – be sure to make note of any unique features to the auto transporter. In case your car needs to be repaired on the road, it will make it a lot more difficult to figure out.
  5. Emptying Your Gas Tank – When you are shipping your car, you should always make it as light as possible. The heavier it is, the more expensive it will be to ship. You should empty your car’s gas tank to about ¼ full. This will also ensure that if one of the cars gas tank leaks, it will not make a mess of the other cars.

Once you have carefully done these 5 steps, you are much more prepared to having your car shipped safely. You can keep your mind at ease as Direct Connect – the experienced auto shipper – sends your car on its way safely and efficiently.