Preparing Your Car for Shipping in New Jersey’s Winter

Shipping a car during New Jersey’s winter months requires a little extra preparation compared to other seasons. With snowstorms, icy roads, and frigid temperatures, winter presents unique challenges for both car owners and transport companies. Whether you’re relocating, selling a vehicle, or sending one to a student or family member, preparing your car properly ensures a smooth and safe delivery.

Why Winter Shipping in New Jersey Requires Special Attention

New Jersey winters can be unpredictable. One day may bring clear skies, while the next could bring a nor’easter or freezing rain. These conditions can impact road safety, slow down carriers, and increase the risk of transport delays. The cold weather can also affect your vehicle’s battery, fluids, and tires during the shipping process.

Working with an experienced company like Fast & Safe Auto Shipping can help minimize these risks. These professionals understand how to navigate the tough conditions of the Northeast and keep your vehicle secure from pick-up to delivery.

Clean Your Car Before Pickup

Before handing your vehicle over to the carrier, give it a thorough wash. While this might seem unnecessary in winter, it serves a key purpose—cleaning your car allows you and the transporter to inspect the exterior clearly. This helps document any pre-existing damage and ensures that if new damage occurs during shipping, you’ll be able to identify it.

After washing, dry the car carefully, especially around doors and locks, to prevent freezing. You can also apply a silicone-based lubricant to the door seals to keep them from sticking in the cold.

Check Fluids and Battery Health

Cold temperatures affect a vehicle’s internal systems. Check that your antifreeze is at the proper level and that the coolant mixture is correct for freezing conditions. Make sure the windshield washer fluid is rated for sub-zero temperatures—this can prevent freezing inside the system.

Also, test the battery to ensure it holds a charge. Weak batteries often fail in cold weather, especially during shipping when the vehicle isn’t driven for several days. If the battery is old or unreliable, consider replacing it before transport.

Reduce Fuel to a Quarter Tank

For safety and weight reasons, transport companies recommend that vehicles have no more than a quarter tank of gas at pickup. This amount is enough to load and unload the vehicle without adding unnecessary weight, which can be a concern when navigating snowy or icy roads.

Avoid topping off the tank before shipping, as it may leak or expand under certain temperature fluctuations.

Protect Your Tires and Tire Pressure

Tires are another critical component to check. Cold weather can cause tire pressure to drop significantly, which may affect loading or unloading. Inflate your tires to the recommended PSI listed in your owner’s manual to ensure they remain in good condition throughout the journey.

Also, make sure your tires have good tread. While the car won’t be driven during shipping, good tires can help with traction if the vehicle needs to be moved short distances at pick-up or delivery sites.

Disable Alarms and Remove Valuables

Disable any car alarms before shipping. A triggered alarm on a transport truck can be a serious inconvenience for the driver and may delay your shipment. Additionally, remove all valuables from the vehicle, including electronics, toll passes, and personal belongings, as these items are not covered by carrier insurance.

Also, remove or secure any external accessories, such as bike racks or roof boxes, which could be damaged during transport or in rough weather.

Work with a Trusted Shipping Partner

Shipping a car during New Jersey’s winter requires careful planning and a reliable transport provider. Choose a company with experience in handling winter conditions and a track record of on-time, damage-free deliveries. For dependable service across New Jersey and the U.S., visit https://safecarhauling.com/new-jersey-car-shipping/ and get peace of mind knowing your vehicle is in safe hands with Fast & Safe Auto Shipping.