Getting your car ready for a carrier is the one part of the whole process you fully control, and ten minutes of prep can save you a real headache later. This is the detailed version, the stuff that goes beyond “take some photos and remove your gym bag.” If you just want the big picture of how a shipment works start to finish, our step-by-step guide to shipping a car covers that. Here we’re zeroing in on prepping the vehicle itself.
Start with a wash and a proper photo record
Wash the car the day before pickup. A clean surface is the only way to honestly document its condition, and that record is what protects you. Once it’s dry, take dated photos in good daylight: all four corners, the roof, the wheels, and tight close-ups of any chip, scratch, or dent that already exists. Shoot the odometer too. If anything looks different at delivery, these photos and the Bill of Lading are your proof, so don’t skip them.
Fluids, fuel, and tire pressure
Leave the tank around a quarter full. That’s enough to load and unload the car a few times without adding dead weight the carrier has to haul across the country. Top off the essentials while you’re at it, coolant, oil, brake and power-steering fluid, since a car can sit on a trailer for several days and you don’t want a low-fluid problem showing up mid-transit. Set your tires to the correct pressure, too. Under-inflated tires are easier to damage during loading, and a flat on the trailer is a problem nobody wants.
Check for leaks before the driver does
Carriers stack cars, so a vehicle that drips oil or coolant onto the car below it is a genuine issue, and a driver who spots an active leak can refuse the load. Park over clean cardboard overnight and look in the morning. If you find a leak, mention it to your coordinator ahead of time so the car can be placed on the bottom of the rack instead of becoming a surprise at pickup.
Battery, alarm, and keys
Make sure the battery is charged and the terminals are tight, because the driver needs to start and roll the car on and off the trailer. Disable any aftermarket alarm, or write down exactly how to shut it off, so it isn’t screaming in a truck for two days. Hand the driver a working key for the ignition and doors, and keep your spare with you.
Strip it down to the car
Fold in the side mirrors, retract the antenna, and remove anything that sticks out or comes loose at highway speed: roof racks, bike and ski carriers, spoilers you can detach, ground-effect add-ons, and toll transponders. Pull the toll tag or seal it in a signal-blocking pouch, otherwise you can rack up charges as the truck rolls through tolls. Take out your custom or removable stereo face if you have one.
Empty the car (this one is not optional)
Auto-transport carriers are licensed to move vehicles, not household goods, and personal items are not covered by cargo insurance. Loose belongings also add weight and can shift and damage the interior. Clear the cabin and trunk down to the factory equipment and your spare tire. A small, secured item or two is sometimes tolerated, but the safe move is to ship it empty.
Electric, hybrid, lowered, and modified cars
EVs and hybrids ship just fine on standard carriers, but charge the battery to a comfortable level and turn off any “sentry” or always-on monitoring mode so it doesn’t drain over several days. If your car is lowered, has a long front splitter, or sits on an aggressive aero kit, tell your coordinator. Carriers use ramps and liftgates, and a low car needs the right equipment and approach so the bumper doesn’t scrape on loading. The same goes for oversized tires or a lifted truck.
Winter prep
Shipping in the cold? Make sure your antifreeze is rated for the temperatures on the route, not just where you live. Keep the battery strong, since cold saps cranking power, and clear snow and ice off the car before pickup so the inspection is accurate.
Disclose anything mechanical up front
If the car is slow to start, has a soft battery, won’t hold a charge, or doesn’t run at all, say so when you book. It changes the equipment the carrier brings. A non-running car needs a winch or special loading gear, and surprising the driver at pickup is the fastest way to a refused load or a last-minute fee. We cover that situation in detail in our guide to shipping a non-running or inoperable car.
Common prep mistakes that cost people money
- A full tank. Extra fuel is dead weight and a safety issue. Keep it low.
- Leaving belongings in the car. Not insured, adds weight, can trigger fees.
- Skipping the photos. Without a dated record, a condition dispute is your word against theirs.
- Not flagging a low car or a mechanical issue. Wrong equipment shows up and your slot can fall through.
- Forgetting the toll tag. Easy to overlook, annoying to pay for later.
Open or enclosed?
Most cars prep the same way whether they ride open or enclosed. If you’re still deciding, our breakdown of open vs enclosed auto transport explains when the extra protection is worth it. For everyday vehicles, open is the normal choice.
Ready when the carrier is
Do the wash, the photos, the fluids and tires, strip the extras, empty the cabin, and flag anything unusual, and pickup becomes a five-minute formality. When you’re set, get an instant quote with no upfront payment, or call us at (713) 766-6633 and we’ll line up a licensed, insured carrier for your car.
Frequently asked questions
How much gas should I leave in my car for shipping?
About a quarter tank. It is enough to load and unload the car a few times without adding unnecessary weight for the carrier to haul.
Can I leave personal items in the car when I ship it?
It is best not to. Auto-transport carriers are licensed to move vehicles, not household goods, and personal belongings are not covered by cargo insurance and add weight that can trigger extra charges.
Do I need to wash my car before shipping?
Yes. A clean car lets you and the driver document existing scratches and dents accurately during the pickup inspection, which protects you if any new damage appears at delivery.
How do I prepare an electric car for shipping?
Charge the battery to a comfortable level, turn off always-on monitoring or sentry modes so it does not drain over several days, and tell your coordinator if the car is lowered so the right loading equipment is sent.
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