Getting Your Vehicles Ready for PCS

1. Where Should You Store Your Vehicle?
2. Leave it with family or a friend
3. Store it on the base
4. Store it in a commercial storage facility
5. How to Prepare Your Vehicle for PSC Shipping
6. Remove your valuables
7. Clean the exterior and interior thoroughly
8. Maintenance
9. Fuel
10. Fluids
11. Battery
12. Photograph your car
13. Check tire pressure
14. Create an extra set of car keys
15. Prepare vehicle documentation and contact information
16. Ship Your Vehicle with a Reliable Transportation Company

When you get a "permanent change of station" (PCS) notice, it can be hard to move a privately owned vehicle. The good news is that there are resources that can make the process easier and less stressful.

Personal property shipment is an important part of a PCS move, and knowing the steps can help make sure the move goes well.

The following piece describes everything you need to know about the process and procedures of preparing your vehicles for PCS. You'll also discover valuable tips and tricks that make the process more manageable.

Where Should You Store Your Vehicle?

There are a few essential procedures to do before stowing your car away. Identifying a secure location to keep your car is the first step.

Leave it with family or a friend

Leaving your car with friends or family while you're away can be a great way to ensure it is safe and secure. Before doing so, it's important to discuss expectations with the person who will be looking after it.

This includes how often they are allowed to use the car, what distances they are allowed to travel in it, and any other specific instructions you may have.

Store it on the base

Those who are leaving on a deployment may leave their vehicles at their permanent duty station. Before calling the base transportation office, you should go to the vehicle processing facility and learn about the rules and requirements of the storage area.

Find out whether the car will be driven or maintained during your deployment, and find out if it will be monitored or secured while you're away.

Store it in a commercial storage facility

Commercial storage facilities are a wonderful option for customers who need to store their automobile for an extended period of time. These facilities allow you greater control and security than traditional methods of automobile storage.

As a result, they are the ideal solution to secure your vehicle from the elements and theft.

There are other commercial storage choices, including climate-controlled self-storage units, covered parking with security, and businesses that just store automobiles.

Whatever location you choose to park your vehicle, it must be protected from dust and filth with a quality car cover. Choose one that is appropriate for the environment in which you intend to store your car.

If you are parking your automobile outside, for example, you should choose a material that is waterproof and UV-resistant.

How to Prepare Your Vehicle for PSC Shipping

Before putting your car in a commercial storage facility, you should take some steps to make sure it stays in good shape while it's there.

Here are a few steps you can take to prepare your vehicle for its storage location:

Remove your valuables

Even if you choose a safe storage facility, it is important to remove any valuable goods to avoid theft. This includes personal goods from the trunk as well as any stray objects found in the vehicle's interior.

Some belongings can be stored in or near the automobile in a private storage unit, but an auto shipper will not cover personal items left in the car, so take them out.

Also, remember to remove any toll devices that may be placed in your vehicle, since they may incur automatic costs during shipping.

While it may appear unnessecary, taking the time to inspect your vehicle for any forgotten goods may save you from future difficulties.

Clean the exterior and interior thoroughly

Properly cleaning and detailing your car before storage is essential to maintaining its condition. This is because dirt on your vehicle can cause damage in the long run.

Also, dirt can help bacteria grow, which can make your car smell bad and cause it to break down soft interior aspects like fabric seats or floormats.

Waxing the car after washing adds an extra layer of protection against common types of dirt like dust, grease, and grime.

Additionally, plugging the tailpipe and sealing any other crevices can help keep critters out.

Maintenance

Before storing your automobile for an extended period of time, ensure that it is in good operating condition by creating a list of any faults or damage, doing maintenance, and topping off fluids.

When inspecting your vehicle for maintenance and new fluids, look for any dents, scratches, or other damage that may already be present. This will save you from having to argue about whether the damage occurred before or after the automobile was transferred.

Even if you do not intend to utilize the vehicle during your PCS, there are still things you must do before then, such as the following:

Fuel

It is recommended to store vehicles with no more than a quarter tank of fuel before they are picked up for transport. This will help reduce the transport weight as well as prevent any damage that could be caused by gasoline breaking down over time.

Before you transport your vehicle, it's important to ask your mechanic for advice on the type of fuel and whether to add a fuel stabilizer.

This will ensure that your car has enough fuel to load onto and off of the trailer, but not so much that it adds unnecessary weight.

Fluids

Fuel may need to be limited during long-term storage, as it can evaporate over time. However, other fluids such as antifreeze, brake fluid, oil, and transmission fluid should be topped up before leaving.

This helps make sure that the car is in good shape when it is delivered and keeps the engine from getting damaged.

It is also important that you ensure there aren’t any leaks before transportation. This is because leaks can cause serious damage to the engine if left unchecked for too long.

Battery

The battery is an essential component of any vehicle, and it’s important to make sure it’s in good condition before storing or shipping your car. The battery should be replaced before shipment or storage if it is older than two years.

Also, if you're not going to drive the car for a while, you should disconnect the negative battery terminal—the side of the battery marked with a minus (-) sign—so that the battery doesn't drain.

When you get back, don't forget to connect the negative terminal and make sure the battery is fully charged before giving it to the shipping company.

That being said, you should be careful not to bring a flame or spark too close to the battery. This can cause the hydrogen gas in the battery to explode and, ultimately, burn you. Also, exercise the necessary precautions when working with live wires.

If you think the battery might be dying, you might want to replace it. If the car won't start when it's time to leave the transporter, you might have to pay fees and have it towed.

Photograph your car

Taking photographs of your car's interior and exterior before shipping is a great way to protect yourself in case of any mishaps during transit.

Not only will it show how the car looked before it was shipped, but it can also help you find any damage that might have happened during shipping.

Check tire pressure

Before transporting your vehicle, it's crucial to make sure the tires are properly inflated. The best inflation pressure lets the delivery crew drive the car safely and securely onto and off of the transport carrier.

Create an extra set of car keys

Having an extra set of car keys comes in handy when you need to give your car keys to a transporter driver. It's not uncommon that they may lose your keys, so having an extra pair will bring you peace of mind in the case of an emergency.

Prepare vehicle documentation and contact information

Having the right contact information and vehicle documentation is essential when shipping a vehicle. It’s important to gather contact information from the shipping company or driver so you can stay up-to-date on the vehicle’s location.

Also, the title, registration, and insurance information for the car shouldn't be kept in the car itself. Instead, they should be kept somewhere else.

Ship Your Vehicle with a Reliable Transportation Company

Military members and their families can trust A1 Auto Transport to move their cars across the country in a safe way. With discounts of up to 20% off the total transportation costs, military personnel can rest assured that they are getting the best deal possible.

A1 Auto Transport takes the stress out of shipping cars by being ready for problems before they happen.

Our experienced delivery team will give you detailed instructions on how to get your car ready for transport. They will also work with your schedule to set up pick-up and delivery times.

Our transportation service provider also offers door-to-door service, so you don’t have to worry about making multiple trips or dealing with long lines at a terminal.

With A1 Auto Transport, you can trust that your vehicle will arrive promptly and undamaged.

Get your Free Quote on a car transport today.