Hotwire Vehicles and Escape the Apocalypse: Project Zomboid Guide

In the sprawling world of Project Zomboid, traversing the map on foot is a daunting task. Fortunately, many vehicles remain functional, and if keys are elusive, hotwiring offers a solution. This guide details how to hotwire a car and level up the necessary skills.

Hotwiring in Project Zomboid is surprisingly simple, requiring just a few button presses. However, prerequisites exist. While not demanding a top-tier character build, you'll need specific skills.

Hotwiring Mechanics in Project Zomboid

Successfully hotwiring a car allows you to drive it as long as it has fuel and is in good condition, even without the keys. To do this, you need at least Level 1 Electrical and Level 2 Mechanics skills. Alternatively, choosing the Burglar profession during character creation bypasses these skill requirements.

Hotwiring a Car: Step-by-Step

1. Enter the vehicle.
2. Access the vehicle's radial menu (default key: V).
3. Select "Hotwire" and wait a few seconds.

Once the requirements are met, these steps work on any operable vehicle. Hotwiring is automated; upon completion, press W to start the engine. Remember, fuel is not guaranteed, so acquiring gasoline is advisable.

Skill Leveling: Electrical and Mechanics

For non-Burglar characters, increase Electrical and Mechanics skills through in-game activities:

• Electrical: Dismantle electronics (watches, radios, TVs).
• Mechanics: Remove and reinstall mechanical parts.

Books and magazines found in homes and businesses (mailboxes, sheds, bookshelves) also provide skill boosts. Server admins can use the "/addxp" command to directly grant skill XP to players.