Properly preparing your vehicle for the cross-country journey from Miami to Los Angeles helps ensure a smooth transport experience. Here's what you need to do:
Clean Your Vehicle: Wash both the exterior and interior. This makes it easier to document any existing damage during the pre-transport inspection.
Document Existing Condition: Take dated photos from all angles, capturing any scratches, dents, or imperfections. This creates a clear record before shipping.
Remove Personal Items: Carriers are not insured for personal belongings left inside the vehicle. Remove all items from the cabin, trunk, and glove compartment. This includes toll passes, GPS devices, and fragile items.
Check Fluid Levels and Battery: Ensure your vehicle has adequate fuel (about a quarter tank), and that the battery is fully charged. Fix any fluid leaks before transport.
Disable Alarms: Turn off or disable any car alarms to prevent them from going off during transit.
Remove or Secure Accessories: Take off or secure any loose exterior accessories like bike racks, spoilers, or custom antennas that could be damaged during transport.
Provide a Working Key: Make sure you have a spare key available for the carrier to load and unload your vehicle.
For more detailed preparation steps and what to expect during the shipping process, check out our complete How To Ship A Car guide. You'll also want to review the Car Shipping Documents you'll need to have ready for pickup and delivery.