How to Prepare Your Car for Auto Transport

When getting ready for a move, it is common that most people plan to use their cars as an extra moving van. They load it up with the smaller belongings that they can move themselves, and head over to their new destination. Our Richmond long distance movers know that not all moves are in state or local moves. If you are preparing for a move and need to learn the proper way to move your car with auto transport, don’t fret. We can tell you what you need to know about preparing your car for auto transport.

How to Prepare Your Car for Auto Transport

Our Richmond auto movers are no strangers to preparing cars for transport. We are professional auto movers, trained to load and move your car from your old home to your new one, with the same care we would give our own cars. However, we know that not everyone is a professional and that is why we have made a list of what to do when preparing your car for auto transport.

1. Washing Your Car Before Your Move

It may seem silly to wash your car before having it loaded on an open-air transporter, but it is not! Washing your car is the most important step of preparing your car for auto transport because a clean car will show any dents, dings, or damage that has incurred during transport much easier than a dirty car will.

2. Clean Your Car’s Interior
While on the transporter, your car can be subject to the bumps in the road. To make sure that your car does not arrive with items spread across the inside, our Richmond movers recommend removing any loose items or items that can dislodge from inside your car. You will also want to remove any electronics or anything you would not want stolen from inside your car.

3. Disconnect the Car Alarm
If your car has an alarm, you will want to disconnect it when preparing your car for auto transport. This is because some car alarms trigger by slight movements and may go off while in transport. To make the drive pleasant for the auto mover, disconnecting your alarm ensures it will not go off while in transport.

4. Leave the Gas Tank Empty
There is no need to top off your gas tank before preparing your car for auto transport. Having a full tank adds to the weight of your car and can put the entire auto transport vehicle at risk. Since you are not driving your car to your new home, it is okay to leave the tank empty. However, if the tank is not already empty, there is no need to try to empty it.

5. Keep Your Car Leak-Free
Prior to having your car loaded onto the transporter, make sure to check the undercarriage and address any leaks you may see. Some auto transporters will not move your car if there is an excessive leak. Checking for leaks is also a courtesy to anyone else who may have a car in transport with yours because you are preventing a possible oil leak on their car’s paint.

6. Check Your Tire Pressure
Low tire pressure is just as bad a full gas tank when preparing your car for auto transport. Make sure that you properly inflate your tires avoid damage to your tires when the transport company loads and offloads your car.

7. Lock Your Car
Once your car is on the transporter, make sure to lock it. There is no need for the driver to access the inside of your vehicle when transporting it and locking your car will reduce the chances of any theft occurring.

Contact All My Sons Moving & Storage when you need to make a long-distance move. We will transport your car and your belongings to your new home in perfect condition!