When you’re shipping your car, the people moving it need keys to drive on and off the carrier. It’s a good idea to keep them somewhere they can access quickly.
It’s also important to remove all personal items, fully inflate tires, and make sure the gas tank is no more than a quarter full. Preparing your car for transport will minimize damage and speed up delivery time.
Keep them in a safe place
You should always keep your car keys in a safe place when you are shipping your vehicle. This helps to prevent the car shipping company from accidentally driving your vehicle on and off the truck, which can cause damage. It also helps to minimize the risk of theft or unauthorized access. If you need to leave your keys in the vehicle for any reason, make sure that they are locked securely and cannot be accessed by anyone else. Removing any items from the car that could be stolen or damaged during transit, such as expensive stereos and GPS systems, is also a good idea.
If you can, you should be there to hand over the keys to the driver on shipping day. If you can’t be there, you should arrange for someone to facilitate the process and ensure that the driver has a set of keys for your vehicle. You should also clean the vehicle and take pictures of it inside and out, as this will help ensure that it is delivered in good condition.
Securing or removing any loose parts on your vehicle, including spoilers and detachable antennas, is also a good idea. You should also disable any alarms on your vehicle, as this can reduce the risk of damage during transport. It is also a good idea to lower the fuel tank to around a quarter full, as this will help keep your vehicle’s weight down.
Before you ship your car, it’s a good idea to get a spare key made. Most high street locksmiths can clone basic car keys, which can be a good backup for you if the car shipping company loses yours.
You should also keep a copy of the bill of lading, which is more or less the invoice for your shipment. This will contain all the information about your vehicle, including its pick-up and destination locations. It’s important to have this document in case of any issues with your shipment, as it will help identify the responsible party.
Leave them with a friend or family member
It’s not always possible to be present on the day of pick-up or delivery. Luckily, you can still make sure that your car gets the care it deserves by leaving a set of keys with a friend or family member. They can then hand them over to the driver. Just make sure that they know the car transport company’s name, address, and phone number. This way, you can get a refund if the key is lost or damaged during shipping.
You can also leave a spare key with your local car dealer or an auto locksmith. This method will not only prevent thieves from stealing your vehicle but will also save you money. You can even buy a special key fob shielding tin or bag to make it more difficult for potential thieves to locate the spare key.
Another important tip is to remove all personal items from the vehicle before shipping. This will decrease the risk of theft and will make it easier for the trucker to load and unload your vehicle. Additionally, it’s a good idea to remove any bike racks, roof packs, and other equipment that aren’t permanently attached to your vehicle. Also, remember to turn off the alarm and remove any parking passes or toll tags that are in your vehicle.
Before you ship your car, it’s important to take lots of photos of the interior and exterior of the vehicle. These photos will serve as proof that the vehicle is in the condition you claim it to be. It’s also a good idea to take photos of the odometer to keep track of how many miles your vehicle has traveled.
One of the most important steps in preparing your car for transportation is to ensure that it’s full of gas. This will help the driver manage the weight load and reduce the risk of damaging other cars during transport. Make sure to remove anything that isn’t necessary for your trip, like air fresheners and pens. Also, make sure to have a full tank of fuel and remove all the extra items in your trunk.
Leave them in a secure parking lot
You’ve dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s, and now your car is ready for its trip across the country. You’re leaving it in the hands of a professional auto transport company, but you aren’t sure exactly what will happen to your keys. If you aren’t able to be there for the pickup, you’ll need to find somewhere safe and secure for the driver to keep them until it is time to load the vehicle onto their truck. This could mean leaving them at a nearby hotel, motel, or secure parking lot.
Some people are nervous about handing over their keys to a stranger, but car shipping companies take several precautions when it comes to vehicle and key security. They will record and document every step of the process, and the keys are always in the custody of the driver until they are returned to you upon delivery of your vehicle. This ensures that your vehicle and keys will be safely tucked away for the duration of the shipment, preventing damage and theft.
It is also important to ensure your vehicle is clean and safe before leaving it with the shipper. You should remove any personal items and ensure the gas tank is less than a quarter full so the shipper can manage weight restrictions. Disabling the alarm and checking the tires and battery pressure is also a good idea. Many carriers also ask that you leave a spare tire and jack with the vehicle, as they may need them for unforeseen situations during transit.
If you are unable to be there for the pickup, it is a good idea to have a locksmith make a duplicate of your key fob and reprogram the transponder so that the new key will work in the car. A local car dealer can also help with this, and they will be able to match the new key to your vehicle’s VIN number.
If you have a spare set of keys, it is a good idea to leave them in the glove box or trunk so that they are easily accessible for the transport driver. Removing any toll tags or parking passes is also a good idea, as these will incur extra fees during transport.
Leave them in a hidden spot
If you’re going on a long trip by car, you might be nervous about turning your keys over to a stranger. Luckily, car transport companies are experienced at handling all kinds of cars and safely getting them to their destinations. However, you may still have concerns about your car’s condition during shipping.
It’s important to remove valuable items from your car before shipping it. If you leave them in your vehicle, they could get stolen or damaged during transport. This includes things like GPS devices, power cords, and auxiliary adapters. Additionally, you should clean your car inside and out, as dirt can camouflage small dents or scratches. You should also take pictures of your car before a carrier picks it up. This will help document the condition of your vehicle, which is important for insurance claims.
Many people have trouble hiding a spare key, but if you use the right method, it’s possible to do so. Using a magnetic lock box is one of the most secure ways to hide your key, and it will also allow you to keep track of when it’s retrieved. Many people also use the hood of their vehicle to hide a spare key but be careful when using this method. If the key is in a tight nook, it can be crushed when you close the hood, and it can also be difficult to retrieve in an emergency.
Another great place to stow your key is underneath the car’s license plate. It’s a popular place because it’s easy to access and it’s well hidden at shin height. However, this method can be dangerous because it’s easy for a thief to spot. Additionally, the signal from your key fob and vehicle can reach far distances, which can quickly drain both the key fob and your vehicle battery.
If you don’t want to risk losing your keys, you can always ask a friend or family member to hold onto them for you while you’re away. Just be sure to give them clear instructions about where to find them when they come back.