How to hotwire a car in Project Zomboid

Trying to hotwire a car in Project Zomboid for the first time? Zomboid’s world is huge, and crossing the entire thing on foot is a real undertaking, so you’re better off trying to find and maintain a nice car for longer trips. With all the undead milling around in the streets, you won’t want to show up unprepared or get stuck in a vehicle only to find out it won’t start. Let’s make sure that you actually know how to hotwire a car before you get trapped surrounded by zombies beating on your windows while you fumble with the wires. 

What you need before you hotwire a car 

Before you jump in the driver’s seat, you should know that there are prerequisites you’ll need to meet. You need to either have 1 Electrical skill and 2 Mechanical skill or be a Burglar character who has the passive ability to hotwire cars without those skill requirements. 

Beware! Even after you successfully bypass the ignition, you may not be going anywhere. Make sure the car you’ve chosen has gas in the tank. Starting a car’s engine makes noise that will attract zombies, so you’ll want to make sure you’re fueled up before you get stuck in a vehicle that isn’t going to move. Use an empty gas can to siphon gas from another vehicle or from a gas pump and then fill up your intended car.

How to hotwire a car in Project Zomboid