Auto-shipping is a task that should only be entrusted to the right companies. As a result, several things should be considered before choosing any company that renders this service.
Transparent pricing, company reputation, liability coverage, licensing, customer service, expertise, and service range are some of the several things to be taken into consideration. For more on this subject, you can check: https://www.newsdirect.com/.
But besides hiring the right auto company, you need to do what you can to reduce car shipping costs. Reducing vehicle weight is one of the effective ways to make this happen. Various vehicle weight reduction tips will be shared here in the spirit of reducing auto shipping costs. So, read on to find out more.
Strategies for Reducing Vehicle Weight for Auto Shipping
Auto shipping cost is not just determined by the service provider’s willingness to offer affordable car shipping services. Some of the other factors include fuel price, demand-to-supply ratio, weather conditions, as well as vehicle state, shape, and size.
You do not have direct control over some of these factors. Fuel price is a prime example. On the other hand, you have control over your vehicle’s state and size. As a result, here are some weight-reduction strategies to reduce auto-shipping costs:
Fluid Levels
There are two pieces of advice about this. The first is choosing the right fluid. Some products are lighter than others without compromising on quality. We highly suggest that you opt for them instead of heavier options.
Secondly, you should reduce the level of fluid in your car. We also do not advise emptying all fluid levels as this can have adverse effects. Some of the fluid levels that you can reduce include the:
- Power steering
- Brake
- Transmission
- Oil
- Coolant
- Transfer case
All of these are essential and this informs the need to keep a bit instead of emptying them. Furthermore, certain fluids are not necessary.
The windshield washer fluid is a prime example. You can empty it and then fill it back once your car has been shipped over.
Remove Personal Items
Whenever you need services that provide auto transport in Texas, you should take out time to clear out personal belongings before handing the vehicle over to the shipping company. Certain parts of the vehicle that usually house personal belongings should be thoroughly inspected for this reason. These parts include the:
- Glove compartment
- Door pockets
- Center console
- Truck
- Under-seat storage
- Seatback pockets
- Cup holders
- Backseat storage
- Console storage
- Visor pockets
Taking out personal belongings from these places and other parts is not just for the sake of reducing weight. It is also about the safety of personal belongings from damage and theft.
Jack & Spare Tire
The truth is that not everyone may be able to implement this tip. This is especially for those that would have to pick up the shipped vehicle at a terminal. However, it is worth considering given how shipping your vehicle without a spare tire and jack reduces its weight.
Do Not Fill Up the Gas Tank
There is a linear relationship between a vehicle’s weight and its fuel efficiency. One way to see this is that fuel adds to a vehicle’s weight. You can read this article for more information about this.
This in turn means that having your gas tank full means that your vehicle is weightier. This will increase auto shipping given how weight is a major consideration when calculating auto shipping cost.
For this reason, you are better off not filling your gas tank. In the same vein, we do not suggest emptying the tank even though some sources suggest this. The reason is that this makes your car inoperable.
Typically, it costs more to ship inoperable vehicles since they cannot be driven during the loading and unloading process. For this reason, it is suggested that you have fuel that is no more than a quarter of your fuel tank. That would be enough for loading and unloading.
Safety Is of Utmost Importance
No attempt to reduce your vehicle’s weight should come at the expense of your vehicle’s safety. This should inform the weight reduction strategies implemented.
By the way, you should also know that some auto-shipping service providers have specific guidelines on reducing vehicle weight. So, find out about this before deciding to reduce your vehicle’s weight before auto shipping.
This is to ascertain that you are not violating any of the established guidelines. It is also about ensuring that these guidelines are reasonable. Otherwise, you may have to look elsewhere.
On a Final Note
When it comes to auto shipping, a vehicle’s weight is a major determinant of the service cost. This is why it costs a lot more to ship heavy-duty vehicles than regular cars. Bearing this in mind, knowledge of how to reduce your car’s weight can significantly reduce auto-shipping costs.
Having read through this article, you now know some tips to help you reduce your vehicle’s weight. You should make the most of this knowledge when the need arises.