Project Zomboid: How to Hotwire a Car

In the post-apocalypse, finding a working car with a key is a rare luxury. Learning how to hotwire vehicles is a critical skill for any Project Zomboid survivor who wants to explore beyond their starting town.

Skill Requirements

To hotwire a car, your character must meet one of the following conditions:

• Burglar Profession: Characters with the Burglar profession can hotwire any car from Day 1 without any additional skills.
• Level Up: All other professions must reach Level 2 Mechanics and Level 1 Electrical.

Step-by-Step Hotwiring

1. Enter the Vehicle

Stand by the driver's side door and press E. If it's locked, you may need to smash a window (using a tool to avoid injury) or use a crowbar if you have a mod installed.

2. The Radial Menu

Once inside, hold V to open the vehicle's radial menu. This is the central hub for all car interactions.

• Select the "Hotwire Engine" icon (the one with the crossed wires).
• Your character will begin the hotwiring process. This may take several attempts depending on your skill level. Success is indicated by wires appearing in the ignition slot on your dashboard.

3. Starting the Engine

After a successful hotwire, press W to start the engine. If the battery is dead or the engine quality is low, it may take multiple tries to turn over.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• No Gas: You cannot hotwire a car without fuel. Use a Gas Can to siphon fuel from other vehicles or fill up at a gas station (if the power is still on).
• Broken Engine: If the engine health is 0%, no amount of hotwiring will start it. You will need to repair it with spare engine parts.
• Dead Battery: If the car won't even click, the battery might be dead. You can swap it with a charged battery from another vehicle or use a battery charger if you have a generator running.

Need a fleet for your faction? Set up a Project Zomboid server with Supercraft and explore the map with your friends!