Archive for September, 2009

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Options for Shipping a Car Cross-Country

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

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When it comes to shipping a car your car across the country, there is more than one option to consider.

OPTION 1: Drive Vehicle Yourself

The obvious advantage of this is that you don’t have to pay somebody else to do it. You should, however, consider the costs associated with it, including gas, wear and tear, tolls and food and accommodations along the way. You’ll also be spending a lot of time on the go, which can make you miss work days.

OPTION 2: Open Car Shipping

This is the most common car shipping option, where your car is carried on an open truck along with others going the same way. This is usually the best option if you’re trying to save money and want your car delivered safely and without hassles on your part.

OPTION 3: Enclosed Car Shipping

Enclosed vehicle shipping allows you to ship your car or motorcycle in a closed container, inside a truck. All bikes must be shipped this way, as they need to be secured by cables. Vintage, collectible or particularly expensive cars should also be shipped this way to protect them from the elements. Enclosed car transport service may does cost a higher rate then standard open transporting method.

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Posted in Car Shipping, Enclosed Car Shipping, Motorcycle Shipping | No Comments »

Things You Shouldn’t Be Without

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

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When it comes to items to carry in your car, most people know that spare tires are a must and many will bring a first-aid kit along even without being reminded of it. But is there anything else you should be carrying along with you? Especially if you live in a rural area, where you can be stranded in the middle of nowhere for hours, or if you’re driving during harsh winter conditions, there are some items that you should not forget:

Jumper cables

Some basic tools, such as a wrench and pliers

Thick gloves in case you need to handle a hot engine

Blankets (this is a must in case your car breaks down in winter and you have no running heat)

High-energy snacks, such as a couple of protein or cereal bars or a bag of nuts

A few bottles of water

Kitty litter, which can be used to provide traction on ice and snow

A list of emergency phone numbers (keep it in your glove compartment at all times)

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | 3 Comments »

Choosing a Mechanic You Can Trust

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

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Let’s face it: mechanics don’t have the best reputation. We’ve all heard stories about being ripped off, being charged for unnecessary repairs or receiving substandard care. If you’re worried about being taken for a ride, there are some things you can do to ensure you get the most for your money.

Research your options. The worst mistake is to commit to the first shop you walk into. Unless you have an emergency repair to take care of, visit a few places and compare equipment, prices and overall impression of the place and the people working there.

Credentials are important, but should not be the first thing on your mind. A mechanic who is a member of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) or has a certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has complied with some basic educational requirements and knows what he’s doing. Don’t discount hands-on experience though, as many mechanics learn through apprenticeships or by working their way up.

Get a recommendation from friends or family members. If somebody else found a place that seems to work, try it yourself.

Finally, look at the place itself. Pay attention to the quality and state of the equipment are they clean and neat, are they well kept? Does the equipment seem up-to-date or are the mechanics working with broken down equipment? If you don’t have an emergency and the place seems acceptable, take your car in for something small, make sure you get a written estimate in advance and see what the results are. You can always move on to somebody else if you’re not satisfied.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | No Comments »

Getting Ready to Go with Car Shipping service

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

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Many car shipping companies won’t allow you to leave anything inside your car, while others will let you keep some items in the trunk. You need to ask in advance what the company’s policies are so you are not caught off guard when your car is picked up. Even if you car shipping company allows you to keep items inside the car, there are some things you should never pack:

Items that can explode or cause a fire are not only dangerous but sometimes illegal, especially if the truck has to cross bridges or tunnels, where gas containers and other common household equipment is not allowed. Even sprays, aerosols and matches are considered dangerous and thus should be kept out of your car.

Car shipping companies cannot be responsible for valuables left in the car. In most cases, you will be asked to remove anything of value before the car transport will accept the vehicle. If you leave a box or container in the trunk and this contains items of value, such as personal papers, jewelry or electronics, the vehicle transport company cannot be held accountable for anything that happens to these items and no claim can be made if they disappear.

Unless you have the proper paperwork, fireworks, guns, prescription medication and even needles are considered illegal and can get you into a lot of trouble if they’re found inside your automobile.

Anything live, including plants, or anything frozen or perishable can’t be left inside the car.

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Posted in Car Shipping, Enclosed Car Shipping | 1 Comment »

Shipping Your Car to a Rural Area

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

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Most car deliveries are made to big cities, where arrangements are easy to finalize and road conditions rarely affect the shipping. If you live in a rural area or want your car delivered there, you will have to talk to the car shipping company in advance to ensure they deliver to the area and to find out what are the differences with standard shipping.

One of the most common differences is price, as vehicle shipping to rural areas is road-based, rather than distance-based. This means that you will pay not only based on how far the delivery truck has to go, but also on how difficult it is to get there due to weather, floods or construction. You will also pay more because cars shipped to big cities will share a truck with others going on the same route. However, cars that have to be delivered to rural areas are more likely to be the only ones to go there. Since the cost of the truck is not share, the added expenses are passed on to you. To ensure timely car delivery, you will also need to arrange for somebody to receive the car on the first try. Chances are the car shipping company won’t have a local holding place and you will be forced to pay extra for the time wasted.

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Posted in Car Shipping, Enclosed Car Shipping | No Comments »

Shipping Your Car Across the Ocean

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

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International car shipping is a lot more complicated than cross-country vehicle shipping for several reasons. For starters, the amount of paperwork required is a lot bigger. Aside from the cost of the shipping itself (which is done on boats, inside sealed containers), you will need to keep in mind additional expenses. Most countries charge custom import duties and VAT, although you may be exempted of VAT if your car is more than 20 years old. Collectible, vintage or customized cars will probably incurred in additional expenses. Newer cars and certain luxury models may be charged up to 35 percent of the total price of the vehicle in import taxes.

Rules and regulations vary from one country to the next, so there are no hard and fast rules regarding prices and restrictions. The vehicle shipping company may give you a general idea of what to expect during international shipping, but the amount you pay them will not include whatever charges there are at your point of destination. To prevent major problems, contact the Embassy of the country you’re shipping the car to and get the exact details of the process. You will also need to inquiry whether door-to-door delivery is possible and if not, how much are you charged for every day your car has to be stored at the port. You may also need to present special papers (such as an international driver’s license) in order to be allowed to drive the car out of customs.

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Posted in Car Shipping, Enclosed Car Shipping, International Car Shipping | No Comments »

Preparing Your Car for Long-Term Storage

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

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Both before and after shipping, chances are your car will be stored for a period of time before you have access to it again. This is especially true if you’re shipping your car overseas, where it will have to wait for you in customs. If you foresee your car being stored for more than two weeks, do the following:

  • Wax the car so the finish is better protected against debris.
  • Disengage the parking brake. This will prevent corrosion and ensure the brakes will work properly when you start your car again.
  • Find out if the shipping company requires the gas tank to be empty or full. For storage, empty tanks are better (they prevent condensation). However, the shipping company may require you to leave enough gas for the car to be driven up and into the truck, as well as out.

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Posted in Car Care, Car Shipping, International Car Shipping | 7 Comments »

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