Ready To Go South? 4 Tips On How To Prepare Your Car For Snowbird Car Shipping Service

Table of Content:

• Introduction
• Clean Your Car Inside and Out
• Take Photos and Document the Condition
• Disable Toll Tags and Alarms
• Check for Leaks and Mechanical Issues
• Conclusion

Summary

As a snowbird planning your annual migration from the northern cold to warmer southern states, ensuring your car is ready for car shipping is an essential step. With a few preparations, you can make sure your vehicle is in top condition and avoid any surprises during the process.

Introduction 

It’s already October, and if you’re planning to head south to escape the Canadian winter, it’s time to prepare your car for your snowbird car shipping service. By opting for this service, you have already made this journey easier, and now here are some tips to prepare your car before handing it over to your car transport company, the whole process will be easier. 

Clean Your Car Inside and Out

Before shipping your car, you must clean it inside and out. A surface clean isn’t enough; you need to deep clean, especially the exterior, to spot any pre-existing damage. This will help you to create an inspection report with the shipping company, and you can know what damages the car already had. After receiving the car, if you see any new damage, you can claim compensation.

A thorough cleaning of the interior should also be done meticulously. Always remember, your vehicle can't be shipped with personal items inside. Hence you need to remove your GPS devices, chargers, any extra fitting you have done to the car, etc. Removing them will also prevent any damage during transit. Most shipping companies don’t include the left-behind personal items in the car as part of insurance coverage; hence if they are lost, stolen or damaged, you will have to pay from your end. 

Take Photos and Document the Condition

Once you have done the thorough cleaning, it is time to take some good exterior and interior pictures of your car. Take pictures of the car from all angles, especially focusing on any existing damage. This will help you create an inspection report with the shipping company, so you know what damage the car already had.

Disable Toll Tags and Alarms

If your vehicle has a toll tag or transponder, you’ll need to remove or disable it. Then you need to remove or disable them before giving the car to snowbird car shipping service. Otherwise, every time the car passes any toll point, your car will be charged! Likewise, disable any alarm so that it doesn’t suddenly go off and cause a delay in shipping. 

Check for Leaks and Mechanical Issues

When checking the car, you need to check not only the exterior but also the interior mechanical parts. That is because your snowbird shipping company will expect the vehicle to be in working condition when they pick it up. So, you need to ensure there are no leaks, and that all fluids like coolant, oil, and transmission fluid are topped up, at least above the minimum level. This is why before heading south; you should use a good garage to thoroughly check the condition of your car. 

If you are going to drop and pick up your vehicle, you will have to drive the car to and from the transport company’s location. So, make sure you have enough fuel in the car, and that the tires are in good condition. 

Conclusion

So, these are the few little things you need to keep in mind when giving your car to a snowbird car shipping company. Then you can leave for your sunny destination without worry and receive your car there to enjoy your well-deserved holiday.