Preparing your vehicle properly before shipping from Colorado to California helps prevent damage and makes the process smoother. Here's what you need to do:
Remove Personal Items
Take out all personal belongings, toll passes, and fragile items from your car. Shipping carriers are not responsible for items left inside the vehicle, so empty your trunk, glove box, and under the seats.
Secure a Key
Make sure you have a spare key available for the carrier. They'll need it to load and unload your vehicle safely.
Check Your Vehicle's Condition
Document your car's current condition with photos. Note any existing dents, scratches, or damage. This creates a record for comparison when your vehicle arrives in California.
Remove Accessories
Take off any exterior accessories like bike racks, roof boxes, or spoilers that could be damaged or lost during transit. Remove or secure any loose interior items as well.
Ensure Your Car Runs
Make sure your vehicle starts and runs properly. The carrier needs to be able to drive it onto the transport truck safely.
Check Fluid Levels
Top off your fuel tank to about a quarter full, and verify that oil, coolant, and other fluid levels are adequate for the shipping process.
For more guidance on the complete shipping process, check out our Cross Country Vehicle Transport Guide. We've been helping people ship their cars since 2012, and we're committed to making sure your vehicle arrives in great condition.