Shipping a car when the mercury dips calls for a little extra care. Ice, snow, and road salt can sneak up on you and become a problem real quick. Whether you’re relocating, buying a ride across state lines, or just moving your wheels during the colder months, knowing how to prep can save you time and headaches. Below, we lay out the must-do steps so your vehicle boards the carrier winter-ready and disembarks in good shape.
Why Cold Weather Shipping Is a Bigger Deal
Winter travel in a vehicle means cruising through possible snow bands, freezing puddles, and, let’s be honest, the occasional surprise blizzard. These conditions can chip paint, trap moisture, or even freeze a lock if you’re not careful. A little prep up front cuts down on those risks and makes the whole transport process smoother.
Road salt sprayed up on the undercarriage can sneak in and start flaking away paint like a bad haircut. Ice sitting on brake lines may freeze solid, pushing seals right out of place. Throw in battery fluid that turns goopy in Arctic temps, and you quickly see why winter isn’t shy about damaging vehicles.
Preparing your ride for winter shipment isn’t just a to-do list. It-creeps along frozen highways and arrives looking brand-new.
1.Check the Battery
The colder it gets, the more your battery murmurs I quit. A timid, three-year-old battery loves to pick January for its encore.
Have the charge tested, or count the little circles stamped on the side. Even a pro will tell you that a single cracked cell is enough drama during transport.
Because some haulers sit idle for days, they carry a compact jumper set just in case. It’ll save you from boarding a flight to your car one town away and hearing the engine click-click.
- Give the Tires a Good Look
Once the thermometer dips, the rubber on your car feels the chill, so pay attention to the tires. Before you arrange for shipping, run your hand over the tread and measure the grooves to see if they meet the legal winter limit. If the route ahead promises deep snow or slushy highways, consider swapping in a fresh set of winter tires; the extra bite is usually worth the cost.
Worried that your own eyeball test isn’t enough? Swing by a local tire shop and ask the pros for a quick scan. While you’re at it, double-check the pressure because cold air shrinks inside the tire and that drop in psi can lead to a flat before you know it.
- Stock Up on Fluids to Freeze Ahead
Fluids act like your car’s bloodstream, and frozen lines can bring everything to a standstill. Pop the hood and top off the engine coolant; the mix should lean toward antifreeze, not all water, if the forecast shows freezing temps. Next, fill the windshield washer tank with a solution that won’t crystallize on the glass or leave ice patches that block your view during transit.
Other liquids-motor oil, brake fluid, even transmission fluid-will probably survive a winter drive, but a full reservoir never hurts. The last thing you want is a lower line that turns sticky or gummy once the cargo hold gets frosty. Taking these small steps adds only a few minutes to your prep routine, yet they can save costly headaches once the truck rolls.
- Oil: Peek under the hood and check the dipstick. Winter can turn heavy oil into thick sludge, so a lighter, colder-rated lubricant could save your engine from a chilly surprise.
- Fluids: Top off everything-brake, transmission, radiator-before the snow hits. Cars that arrive at their destination full of clean fluids run smoother and dodge the worst of winter’s abuse.
- Washing the Car: Salt, slush, and road grime love to settle in the nooks and crannies. A quick undercarriage rinse keeps rust from munching on metal where you can’t see it.
- Inspect and Document: Clean paint shows chips and dings that might otherwise go unnoticed. Snap a few photos for your own peace of mind, especially if the ride is rare or expensive.
- Prep for Transport: A tidy vehicle is easier for shippers to load and unload, and it minimizes chances of mix-ups down the road. Winterize today so your car rolls off the hauler ready to hit the miles ahead.
- Think About Enclosed Transport
Open car shipping usually saves cash, but putting your ride out in the rain, snow, or freezing wind can be a rough deal. If your car is rare, vintage, or just plain special to you, sliding it inside an enclosed trailer might feel like the smarter call.
With an enclosed setup, road salt, flying ice chunks, and surprise debris never touch your paint or undercarriage. That extra shell keeps everything looking showroom-clean until the driver hands you the keys. Yes, it does cost more than the open option, yet in a winter storm the price gap can suddenly look small by comparison. At Car-Transport24 we stock those covered rigs, so your peace of mind travels as safely as the car.
Quick Tips for Shipping a Car in Winter Weather
Cold, slippery roads can turn vehicle shipping into a waiting game. Here are a few extras you might not think about until the snow starts falling.
Double-Check Dates
Snowstorms rarely arrive on schedule, yet shipments still run late. Call your transport broker and confirm the pickup and delivery windows before you sign anything.
At Car-Transport24 we send real-time alerts. That way you can see if your sedan is stuck in a blizzard or rolling down I-95 as promised.
Test the Bonnet
If the engine won’t crank or the tires are flatter than a pancake, let the trucking company know up front. Dead cars need to be flatbed or by a winch, both of which add time and cost.
Bad weather only makes those special tools harder to use. A fully functional vehicle saves you headaches and keeps the driver safe on icy ramps.
Check for Winter Shipping Restrictions
Old Man Winter loves to throw a wrench in your plans, so don’t skip the basics. Long
Stretches of road can close up overnight when a blizzard rolls in. Before you book, poke around for shipping bans or highway updates that could slow your delivery. Most transportation firms keep a running list of problem areas and can steer you toward a backup route if the roads go bad.
Why Car-Transport24 Wins in Winter
Picking a haulier in December is more than a budget; it’s about nerves of steel. Car-Transport24 has lived through enough snowstorms to know that slush freezes into headaches if you’re not ready. Were big on safe, on-time shipping even when the mercury refuses to budge.
- Decades of Cold Weather Know-How Past winters have taught our crew how to strap, lift, and haul cars when the pavement looks like glass. Experience matters when frostbite shows up on the schedule.
- Enclosed Trailers at the Ready Snow, salt, and surprise ice chips strike fast. Our enclosed rigs wrap your ride in armor, keeping harsh stuff off the paint and out of the undercarriage.
- Follow-It-Now Tracking Worry fades when you can see the truck on a live map. Punch in a code and watch your vehicle cruise south while you sip cocoa.
Conclusion
Getting your car ready for winter shipping isn’t just smart, it’s a little extra homework that pays off big-time. Take a final tour around the battery, the tires, and the fluids so nothing freezes up when the truck rolls. For peace of mind, you might spring for enclosed transport; that way snow, salt, and icy wind have zero chance to scratch or ruin the finish on your ride.
