Different Methods of Auto Transport

By airplane, large ship, rail, or truck – such are the options you have for auto transport/car carrier. Whatever car carrier or car hauler method you use, especially if you would have a professional do it, be sure that you review the quote (as most auto transports are usually quoted by open-trailer method), the jobs that would be involved, and the rates that you have to pay as well.

The following are your options:

1. By airplane.

As for car transport by airplane, you have to consider that unless yours is a vintage or exotic car, race car, or a concept vehicle for an auto show, only a few personal vehicles are transported by airplane.

2. By auto/car shipping.

Up to 8,000 vehicles – that’s the number of cars that select car-carrying vessels can accommodate. Foreign-built cars and trucks use this method to transport their goods to the United States. Example: if a giant car manufacturer would import 1 million vehicles from Asia to the United States, the automaker could charter or contract up to 30 ships and rely on five ports located on the East and West Coasts, where the vehicles would be unloaded and delivered to the dealer.

3. By rail.

Longer routes are said to be more cost effective by rail, as automakers estimate that more than 50% of all new vehicles in the United States would be traveling by rail. Despite limitations in destinations and equipment required to load and unload the vehicles by rail, still industry pundits estimate that motor vehicles made up 1.6% of all railroad tonnage, as per 2007 figures. Auto racks are specially designed rail cars that have two to three decks and can carry up to 20 vehicles – the two-deckers could carry trucks and large SUVs, while the three-deckers could carry cars.


4. By trailer.

Most trailers could carry up to 12 vehicles, with rigs designed so the tractor could support the vehicles. The transport driver would be in charge of loading and unloading the rig, making sure the operation would be completed considering the time, vehicle size, and schedule issues, with the first car loaded being the last to be unloaded.

If you would be driving behind an open-trailer, fear not that the vehicle would fall off, as officials assure us that such an incident is rare because each vehicle is tightly secured in four locations, with chains and straps used to secure them.

When asking for quotes, factor in also if you would like to have your vehicle delivered right to your doorstep or you would pick it up from a terminal. Prepare a deposit, which is usually required by these auto transport companies.

Each method of auto transport is situation-specific. For instance, if you’re going overseas, your only option is to have a car carrier service by shipping. It could cost you more, but you would be saving time and energy. Just make sure that when you avail of any of these auto transport methods, that your vehicle insurance has substantial coverage for auto transport, and that the driver who would be bringing your car must be a trained person and fully insured to the value of your car.

How To Clean a Leather Vehicle Interior

Vehicles with a leather interior are mostly luxury models. One would naturally want to maintain and preserve this expensive feature. The first few things you need to know are the culprits that can transform your leather car seats into something grimy and crusted. Food crumbs and greases can plant unsightly marks and prints on the leather. Spilled soda, juice, or chocolate drinks are also common sources of stains that can ruin a perfectly good leather interior. Check your body for soil and tiny rough materials before entering the vehicle. Those particles may actually scratch the cover. You may not notice it at first, but if it becomes a habit for you or other regular passengers, you will see the damage in your leather eventually.

Knowing what to avoid is half the battle. It is also imperative to know what kind of leather your vehicle interior has. There are various types, from one hundred percent genuine leather, to suede, to vinyl-coated leather. The importance lies in that this fact will most likely determine which type of cleaning and conditioning material is to be used.

1.Refrain from using household detergents, home cleaners, saddle soaps, and hair conditioners. These contain chemicals that can damage the leather. Don’t even think of experimenting with other cleaners. Always use the car cleaning products intended for the type of interior that you have. You can determine that by reading the label on the back of the products. Find the one that says “for leather car interior”. Usually a special cloth is included in such cleaning kits.
2.Get rid of the filth and grime off your leather interior. This should be done before using any of the cleaning and conditioning products. Use a fresh, spongy cloth to wipe away the oil and tiny debris. Do not forget to pop out the dirt from the gaps and crevices.

3.Apply the leather cleaner using the special cloth. Do the application one segment at a time to ensure that you don’t miss any parts of the interior. Lather it unhurriedly. If the filth is too much on some parts, you can lather a little harder, but not to the point of scratching the leather.
4.Remove the cleaning substance and dirt from the leather. The best way to do this is to wipe it off with a damp cloth. When all the gunk has been mopped away, dry the leather with a clean dry cloth.
5.Leather tends to lose its natural oil and may crack over time. To replace the lost oil and to make the leather constantly lustrous, wipe it with a special leather conditioner that uses a foam applicator. Just as with the cleaner, apply the conditioner segment by segment. Let the conditioner be infused right into the leather for a couple of minutes for maximum effect.

Cleaning your leather interior can be done in long intervals such as every few months. On the other hand, conditioning can be done more often. Besides the actual price of the leather interior, meticulous cleaning is the other cost of such a luxury.