In this guide to DayZ, I'll tell you everything you need to know about cars. From the best spawn locations to repair and securing your car, all the way to expert tips and tricks, you'll find it all in this article.
What's this about? I've played DayZ for 2,000 hours and have been professionally covering the game since 2016. The old car guide for DayZ has been around for almost as long - but don't worry, I've expanded the article, updated it, and added some tips for both pros and beginners:
Both on PC and consoles, the same vehicles are available. There are a total of six different vehicles, including four cars, one military vehicle, and one truck. However, the PC enjoys the advantage of allowing mods for cars, which provide greater variety. In both cases, you can find:
Where can you find cars in DayZ? Finding a vehicle in DayZ is simple but time-consuming. There are hundreds of different car spawns in Chernarus, Livonia, and other maps. You can quickly locate them using the interactive map. However, keep in mind that not every marked spawn point on the map will have a car.
In DayZ, you repair cars with the appropriate parts that you find in the game world, typically in industrial areas, garages, and sheds. You can see which parts of the car are damaged by opening the hood and accessing your inventory. On the left side, you'll see all the vehicle parts, and hovering over them will show their condition. Replace damaged parts with new ones.
Before you can start repairing a damaged vehicle in DayZ, you need to know which parts are missing or damaged. To achieve that, you need to find specific loot:
Where to find car parts? Vehicle parts are more common than the cars themselves. You can find radiators, car batteries, and spark plugs in the following locations:
You'll most commonly find tires, doors, trunk lids, and hoods at car wrecks. These wrecks are located at fixed positions on the map and contain useful parts.
Securing parts to the vehicle: In the current version of DayZ, you don't need tools to attach parts to your car. You can attach all parts loosely.
If you can't simply swap out parts, you should have some tools and materials on hand. This includes water, gasoline, spare tires, a repair kit, epoxy, and duct tape in case of emergencies in DayZ!
If you don't already have these items in your base, you'll likely find a new battery faster.
When you get into a vehicle, you'll immediately notice the user interface (UI) in the lower-left corner of the screen. Here, you'll find key information about your vehicle. Typically, it includes:
Depending on your driving style, additional symbols may appear in the car's HUD.
PC Keybindings:
Playstation Vehicle Controls:
Xbox Vehicle Controls:
Protecting Your Vehicle: To make it more difficult for raiders and thieves to steal your vehicle, you can secure your vehicle parts with various tools after completing repairs. While not necessary, it adds an extra layer of security!
You need an empty bottle or a gas canister, and you must fill it with gasoline at a gas station. To do this, go to the refueling station, take the bottle or canister in your hand, and select the "Fill container X" option. Then, go to your car's gas tank and refuel your vehicle.
Since the December 2023 Update 1.23, you can push your car. If you're stuck on a rock or fence, exit the vehicle and select the "Push car" option at the front or rear of the vehicle. Hold the action button until your car is free. If your vehicle has tipped over, there's nothing you can do.
Currently, without mods, it is not possible to lock your car in DayZ. However, you can use various tricks to make it more difficult for thieves to steal your vehicle.
These are all the pieces of information that author and DayZ expert Kevin Willing could find in his 2,000 hours of playing DayZ and in his recent research on the topic of cars. I hope you've found all the information you were looking for. If something is missing or if you have any comments, please leave a comment or contact the author Kevin Willing directly on the Community Discord, where he will be happy to assist you!
You forgot to mention what to do when your car gets stuck. You can now push a vehicle (F on PC) by aiming at its bumpers provided you have enough stamina!