Smart Tips for Shipping Your Car Through a Texas Winter

When winter settles over Texas, the weather can be unpredictable. While many regions experience mild, cool days, others – especially in North and West Texas can see sudden drops in temperature, icy roads, freezing rain, and even short-lived snowstorms. Because of this variability, fewer people choose to ship their vehicles during the winter months, assuming the season will make transport more difficult. However, this lower demand actually works in your favor. Winter is one of the most cost-effective times to arrange auto transport in Texas, as carrier availability increases and prices often drop compared to the busy summer season. Below are some useful tips to help you make the most of this winter shipping opportunity and ensure a smooth, stress-free transport experience.

Winter Car Transport is All About Scheduling

In the summer, scheduling is usually less of a concern. With fewer holidays and better weather, you can pretty much schedule a shipment whenever you want to. However, that’s not the case for car transport in the winter. Scheduling is very important during the winter, as it can completely change how long a shipment takes (and how safe it is). For example, consider the ongoing issues caused by Winter Storm Elliott. When we’re scheduling your winter car shipment, we’ll make sure that the roads we’ll use will be open and safe to use. We won’t take any risks because we don’t want your car to wind up stranded in the snow. After all, we don’t want our drivers to be stuck in the snow, either!

How to Prepare Your Car for Winter Shipping in Texas

Before pickup, start by thoroughly cleaning the inside and outside of your car so you can quickly identify any existing dents or scratches. Make sure the tires are adequately inflated for colder weather, take out personal belongings, and fasten any loose accessories. For gas-powered vehicles, leave about a quarter tank of fuel; for electric vehicles (EVs), ensure the battery is charged to around 50–70% to balance weight and safety. Disabling alarms, checking for fluid leaks, folding in mirrors, and retracting antennas are also smart ideas. With a little preparation, both traditional and electric cars are ready to handle winter auto transport with ease.

Choose Enclosed Shipping for the Best Experience

Most of the time, our customers are comfortable with shipping their cars on our open carriers. These carriers are generally cheaper to use and easier to schedule, and your car isn’t in any serious danger. However, during the winter, there’s a lot more out there that can get to your car. With the potential damage from snow, rain, and ice, it’s best to ship your car in the most secure way possible: enclosed shipping. When you use enclosed car transport method, you choose guaranteed security for your car. Not only will it be safe from any weather or road debris that could damage it, it will also be safe from anyone trying to break into it. While we’ll do everything in our power to protect your car when it’s on one of our open carriers, an enclosed carrier provides a greater guarantee of safety. With enclosed auto shipping, you won’t have to worry about it at all.

What to Do When Your Car Is Delivered in Winter

Task	Why It Matters	Tips / Notes
Inspect for cosmetic damage	Identify any scratches, dents, or marks from transport	Compare with the Bill of Lading; take photos for records
Check tire pressure	Cold temperatures can reduce tire pressure	Inflate tires to the manufacturer’s recommended levels
Start and warm up the engine	Helps fluids flow properly and engine run smoothly	Allow a few minutes for oil and other fluids to circulate
Verify battery health	Cold can reduce battery capacity	Check starting power; for EVs, ensure charge is sufficient
Check fluid levels	Low or thickened fluids affect performance	Inspect coolant, windshield washer, brake fluid, and top off if needed
Check brakes and lights	Safety check after transport	Ensure all systems function correctly before driving