One of the many questions that you may encounter when preparing your automobile for shipping is: How much gas should I put in my car when shipping it? While the gas question may sound simple, there are rules to follow that ensure ease and safety during the entire shipping process.
In this guide, we will walk you through the recommended fuel levels for shipping a car, provide you with the rationale of the guidelines, and offer actionable advice on how to prepare your vehicle for transport. Further, we will explain how Automobile Shipping can assist in streamlining the process of shipping your car with minimal or no challenges.
Step 1: The Considerate Level of Fuel for Shipping a Car
While shipping your vehicle, the one-fuel-tank-out guideline is to keep about a quarter tank of fuel in the vehicle. This amount seems to balance between keeping enough fuel in the vehicle for unloading and loading and the less weight the car would have to bear during shipping. Here is the reasoning:
- Sufficient Fuel for Driving the Car On and Off the Transport Vehicle
The foremost reason of leaving gas a certain amount in the tank is so as to be able to drive the vehicle on and off the transport vessel. In the case of most cars, while on shipping, they do need to be moved for towing the car and off towing as, with the quarter tank with which they ought to be put, there has to be movement in every case; the transport company has to have some functional vehicle.
Tip: Leave just enough fuel which would allow movement of the vehicle without tipping … which in this case makes the vehicle to sink inflating shipping costs. Generally, a quarter does suffice.
- Reduce Weight
Fuel removes fuel out, weight is reduced. Some transportation companies consider the overall weight of the vessel when calculating a shipping price. Keeping the fuel level to a quarter not only lowers the weight but keeps the overall cost down.
Tip: When shipping fuel, do not fill the gas tank to capacity. Keeping it at a quarter marks the sweet spot.
Step 2: Why You Shouldn’t Fill The Tank To Full
Overfilling the tank creates a plethora of problems and increases the cost of shipping the car drastically. Here is a list of reasons on why it should be avoided:
- Added Weight
More fuel means more weight. Extra weight makes it more difficult for the company to transport the car, therefore, costing more.
- Safety Concerns
Safety is always the main concern when it comes to transporting a vehicle. A full tank of gas can pose as a safety hazard in the event of an accident, as or any complications with the vehicle’s fuel system. The gas tank also presents a threat to safety when it comes to hazardous shipping company guidelines, where insurance policies dictate that the fuel tank be at or below a certain threshold for safety purposes.
Tip: Check to see if the car shipping company has restrictions on the amount of fuel for safety reasons. Confirm with the servicing company the level of fuel needed to comply with their policies.
Step 3: Other Key Considerations for Preparing Your Car for Shipping
Aside from the noted restrictions on fuel, other key factors need attending to in order to facilitate the safe and efficient shipping of your car. These include:
- Remove Personal Items
Prior to shipping your car, make sure all personal items are removed. The inclusion of personal items into the car is generally frowned upon. For security and insurance purposes, car shipping companies do not allow personal items to be placed in the vehicle. And, in the event that items are in the car and are damaged during transportation, the shipping company will most likely not be liable for the loss.
Tip: Look for any loose belongings inside the car such as under the cushions, the glove compartment, and the trunk of the car.
- Make sure the vehicle is in operating order by taking a look at check the fluid levels. Before the car is picked up for shipping, it is important to:
– Make sure the engine oil is at the right level.
– Check the brake fluid and coolant levels.
– Ascertain there is enough transmission fluid.
- Disable the Alarm
If the Vehicle has an alarm system built in, make sure to deactivate it prior to shipping the vehicle. An alert going off throughout the shipping procedure is stressful both for you as well as the shipping company.
– Prep the Car for Transport
Look at your car’s images automobiles consider changing the vehicle’s perspective in order to observe as the transport is being done. Also check that there is no damage such as scratches, points of impact, or rust.
Tip: Many auto shipping companies now offer mobile apps or online platforms that allow you to upload time-stamped photos of your vehicle. These serve as official records of the car’s condition prior to transport, helping ensure transparency and protection against potential disputes.
- Lock the Car
Please make sure your car is locked before the trip. While the shipping company will need to access the car for driving it on and off the truck, the keys provided will ensure it stays locked during the entire transportation process.
Step 4: How Automobile Shipping Makes the Process Easy
At Automobile Shipping, we try our best to make the car shipping experience simple and seamless, as effortless as possible. This is what we can do to help get you started:
- Free, No-Obligation Quotes
We provide complimentary quotes that detail the specifics of the shipment, aiding you in understanding how much it would cost to ship your car. No matter if it is local, national, or international shipping, we are ready to give you a fair quote tailored to your specific requirements.
- Assistance with Pickup and Delivery
You do not need to worry about driving your car to a terminal or any shipping yard, we provide door to door service, meaning we will pick up and drop off the car right at your house.
- Safe and Secure Transport
Vehicles are transported by specialized marine transport carriers who observe the guidelines on transport vessels to prevent damages. They make sure to maintain the required level of fuel for the car, secure it properly, and follow all safety instructions.
- Tracking Your Vehicle
We offer auto transporter updates to track and keep you up to speed as your vehicle is in progress. You’ll know the precise location of the vehicle as well as the expected time it will reach its destination.
Conclusion
Particular care should be observed before a vehicle is shipped from one place to another, but by following the above steps, the process becomes simple and controlled. Also, stowing your vehicle with approximately a quarter tank of gas makes it easier to load and unload the vehicle while also reducing the weight during transport. In addition to these steps, cleaning your automobile, taking out personal belongings, and checking that the fluids are at the right levels are also necessary to make certain that the vehicle is prepared for transport.
Cost effective and reliably safe – this describes the automobile shipping services offered at Automobile Shipping. No matter if you are shipping your car across the state or even across the country, we are always available for the best shipping experience.
