It is essential for a person who wants to transport his car to know the whole process inside and out to be able to avoid surprises. One of the most common questions of car owners is whether the shippers check the fuel level of the car before the pickup or not. To this, the short answer is: they usually do. Nonetheless, there are certain requirements as to the reasons, the expectations and what you should do to your car to make it ready.
This article is intended to help readers understand the reasons for fuel level checking before car pickup, explaining the necessity of such a practice and giving them some tips to prepare their vehicles for shipping.
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Why Do Shippers Check Fuel Levels Before Pickup?
Shippers check fuel levels before pickup as part of the pre-shipment inspection. It is a common practice in the auto transport industry which has several functions.
1.1 Safety Concerns
Safety is the main reason why shippers check fuel levels first. A vehicle, when being loaded onto a carrier, especially an open trailer, must be secured in a way that it cannot move during transit. Overfilled fuel tanks can cause the leakage or spillage of the fuel, which may become a fire hazard.
To avoid this risk, the majority of auto transport companies such as 1st Car Shipping have made it a rule that the fuel tank should not be filled more than 1/4 of the way. This not only allows the car to be lighter than usual, but also the risk of fuel-related accidents is considerably lowered.
1.2 Weight Considerations
Fuel will increase the weight of your car. If the car is too heavy it will be harder for the transport company to load and unload the car in a safe manner. In addition, the weight of the fuel can change the distribution of the total weight of the trailer, which in turn can make more challenging to balance and secure the vehicle during transport.
By limiting the fuel to a quarter tank, the car can be handled easily by the shipping company and they can follow the maximum weight they are allowed to transport on their carrier.
1.3 Insurance and Liability
Liability is one of the reasons why shipping companies check fuel levels as well. If a car filled with gas, for instance, is involved in a crash or dropped during transport, the shipping company may have to pay for any damages or injuries that may have been caused by a fuel spill.
It is always better to free the shipping company from such troubles by the practice of ensuring that the car is not too full of fuel before it is transported. This allows the shipping company to comply with the safety requirements and at the same time minimizes their liability.
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What are the Consequences if the Fuel Level of the Car is Too High?
If the fuel in your car exceeds the shipping company’s predetermined limit (usually one-quarter of the tank), then a few consequences are very likely to happen. Here is the list of what may happen:
2.1 Refueling Instructions
This is a situation when the fuel company might require you to go to the gas station and lower the level of the tank so that the staff can easily fill the car with fuel. Such a fuel company could be asking for a service fee if a person is making an adjustment of the fuel level.
In the case of 1st Car Shipping, we set the limit on how much fuel is allowed in the car. Our team will gladly back up any alteration request before the car is loaded onto the transport vehicle.
2.2 Additional Fees or Delays
In a scenario where a vehicle is not within the acceptable fuel range at the time of the pickup, the car may not be loaded on time in some cases which consequently delays the whole shipping process. Besides, authorized fees can be paid out to adjust the fuel level, or the company preps the car for an additional safety measure.
So to be on the safe side and not experience such potential issues, it is highly recommended that no more than a quarter of the tank be filled with fuel at the time of pickup.
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What You Should Do to Prepare Your Vehicle for Shipping
While the shipping company is going to handle all of the logistics and safety, it is highly recommended that you take some precautionary steps to prepare your vehicle for shipping including a few fuel-related preparations.
3.1 Check Fuel Levels in Advance
If you are less your cars fuel gauge will not be below the quarter mark of full capacity. This simple action helps the company to comply with their internal fuel-related guidelines and thus allows the shipping company to avoid various complications.
3.2 Remove Personal Items
Even though it is a fuel-unrelated issue, removing all personal belongings from the vehicle before shipping is a must-do task. Most shipping companies do not allow for personal items to be placed in the vehicle due to safety and insurance reasons. This means the driver will take care not only of the electronics, but also of clothing, and any other little things that can move during transport.
3.3 Inspect the Vehicle
One way to secure your vehicle is to do a quick check just before the driver gets there. Document any current damage (like scratches or dinging) by writing and taking pictures of your car for your records. It is going to be a piece of good evidence if you are asked to file a complaint on the new damage caused by the transport.
3.4 Disable the Alarm System
In case your car is equipped with an alarm system make sure it is off before the car is picked up at your place. The procedure is necessary in preventing the alarm going off during the loading or unloading process as the truck’s vibrations or movements cause the hard reset mechanism.
3.5 Ensure the Car is Accessible
If you are using the door-to-door transport service make sure that the car is easily accessible for the driver especially at the time of the loading. Take away any barriers that may be located next to your car and that might prevent the driver from loading it onto the carrier quickly.
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Do All Auto Shippers Follow the Same Fuel Guidelines?
It is usually recommended to car shippers to keep the fuel level at a quarter tank. Still, you should definitely check this with the company you are going to work with. Certain companies may have a couple of different rules or even some exceptions regarding the type of transport (open vs. enclosed) or the specific logistics involved.
At 1st Car Shipping, we operate under the strictest safety standards and always provide the fuel requirements as a part of the booking process. We realize that a good preparation plan is the key to a trouble-free and safe transport experience, and we ensure that you are fully informed.
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Conclusion: Ensuring a Smooth Pickup Process
To sum up, the answer is affirmative. Shippers fuel level checks before the handover – a necessary step to keep safety, correct weight distribution, and comply with the regulations. By adhering to the instructions, including a fill limit for the fuel tank at one-quarter, you can help prevent waiting time and extra charges, thus having a car shipping process that is smooth and effective.
It is so simple for us at 1st Car Shipping to make the requirements clear to you and to authorize your vehicle for the transport. Regardless of whether you are transporting a standard car or a luxury vehicle, our team is always there to give you the best service, keep you informed, and get you through a safe and secure shipping process.
