Drivers, Don’t Forget to Do These 5 Things Before Shipping Your Car

When you ship your car in Canada, you’re mostly concerned with getting it on and off the truck safely and on time. But you should also be thinking about what you need to do before your car goes on its adventure.

As with any trip, your car is going to need some preparation before it goes on its way. Don’t forget to do these 5 things before handing your car over to us.

1. Take Photographs

Inspecting and documenting any dings, dents, and scratches before your car is shipped protects you in case your car is damaged. While we take the responsibility of shipping your car very seriously, and we treat it with the utmost care, no one can 100% guarantee there will be no damage on public roadways.

Clearly mark the date, time, and position of any marks using the photos, and have them on hand when you pick up your car at its final destination.

What parts of the car should I photograph? >

Tip: Wash your car before taking photographs. It’s not just for show; you’ll be able to get better photos and more thoroughly document any existing damage, which is essential for your initial inspection, and the report done at the time of pick-up.

2. Remove All Important Personal Belongings

Over the years of driving your car, you’ve definitely left your mark. Whether it’s fast food drink cups in the cupholders, your gym bag in the trunk, or a tangle of USB and auxiliary cords, you have a lot of personal items on the road with you.

When shipping your car, you’ll be unable to get at those items. We recommend taking all personal and valuable belongings from your car, including GPS systems and any special accessories that can be removed.

This way you know where everything is at all times. You don’t want to find yourself without your phone charge cord!

P.S: Don’t forget to remove any parking passes you have!

3. Only Fill Your Gas Tank to ⅓

While it’s a good habit to always have plenty of gas in your tank, that’s not the case when shipping your car. That extra weight of a full tank of gas adds to the overall weight of the truck, which needs to be carefully monitored for legal purposes. An overweight transport may be searched, which causes delays. That’s why we recommend only having a ⅓  tank of gas upon loading the vehicle.

4. Have Your Vehicle Serviced

The last thing you want to do is ship a car that isn’t working properly, because it increases your risk of a big breakdown upon arrival. For example, if your battery dies mid-transport because it wasn’t fully charge when it was loaded, this create a big problem when it comes to off-loading your vehicle.

We also need to know of any mechanical issues BEFORE we ship your car, as it could require special equipment or cause delays.

That’s why we recommend getting your car serviced by a professional before you ship it. You should have all fluids topped off, your engine, battery and brakes checked, your tire inflated to the appropriate levels, and make note of any outstanding issues. Share these notes with us, so that we’re all working with the same information.

5. Don’t Forget the Extra Keys

Everyone needs a set of spare keys, particularly if someone else is going to be driving the car. You don’t want to give someone your only set, just in case something happens to them.

Give us your spare set, labelled with your name, and the make and model of your car for clarity.

We’ll Take Care of the Rest

Once you’ve completed these preparations, we’ll take care of the rest! With our 30 years of experience, and commitment to professionalism and quality of service, you can rest assured that your vehicle is in the safe hands.

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