How to Prepare Your Car for Shipping: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Checklist
Ensure a flawless auto transport experience. Follow our comprehensive vehicle preparation checklist to protect your car, avoid delays, and guarantee a seamless inspection on pickup day.
Why Vehicle Preparation Matters for Auto Transport
Shipping a car nationwide is incredibly safe and efficient when handled by professionals, but proper preparation on your end is the secret to a perfect transit. Preparing your vehicle before the carrier arrives expedites the loading process, ensures accurate insurance documentation, and prevents internal damage caused by shifting items.
Whether you are booking open transport for a daily driver or enclosed transport for a classic car[cite: 6], completing this checklist will keep you compliant with Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines and fully prepared for the Bill of Lading (BOL) inspection[cite: 3].
1. Wash the Exterior Thoroughly
A clean car is essential for an accurate pre-transport inspection. Dirt and dust can easily hide existing scratches, dings, or paint chips. Wash your car a day before pickup so that you and the driver can properly document the vehicle's exact condition on the Bill of Lading (BOL)[cite: 3].
2. Document Pre-Existing Damage
Once the car is clean, take high-quality, date-stamped photos of all angles of the vehicle, including close-ups of any pre-existing damage. This serves as your personal record and protects you in the rare event you need to file an insurance claim after delivery[cite: 3].
3. Leave the Gas Tank at 1/4 Full
Do not ship your car with a full tank of gas. A full tank adds unnecessary weight to the commercial carrier, which can impact DOT weight limits. Leave the fuel level at exactly one-quarter (1/4) tank—this is plenty of fuel for the driver to load and unload the vehicle safely.
4. Remove Personal Belongings
Clear the interior of all valuables, electronics, charging cables, and important documents. Reliable Auto Shippings allows up to 100 lbs of personal items safely stowed in the trunk, below window level[cite: 3]. Note that personal items are not covered by carrier cargo insurance, so they are shipped strictly at your own risk[cite: 3].
5. Secure Custom Accessories
Remove or securely tie down any aftermarket accessories. This includes bike racks, luggage pods, custom spoilers, and retractable antennas. Furthermore, ensure you disable all automatic toll tags (like E-ZPass) so you aren't charged as the truck passes through toll booths.
6. Check Fluids and Battery
Top off all essential fluids (coolant, transmission, brake) and check for aggressive leaks. Ensure the car battery is fully charged and the tires are properly inflated. If the vehicle is inoperable or has a dead battery, notify us immediately so we can dispatch a truck equipped with a winch[cite: 6].
Is Your Car Ready for the Road?
Let Reliable Auto Shippings handle the heavy lifting. Get an instant, fully insured transport quote with zero upfront deposit today.