Vehicles — Tips

Overview

Vehicles in DayZ provide high-speed mobility and essential storage capacity for moving gear across Chernarus or Livonia. Mastering them is critical for base building, rapid looting, and escaping hostile encounters.

How It Works

Vehicles function through a simulated mechanical system requiring specific components to operate. To drive a vehicle like the Van 01, you must install a car battery, a spark plug, and sufficient radiator coolant (water). Engines are started by pressing the ignition key, and gears are shifted manually or automatically depending on your control settings. Damage is persistent; hitting trees or rocks will ruin components like the Van 01 Wheel or body panels, which must be replaced or repaired with a Tire Repair Kit or Epoxy Putty.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Locate a vehicle shell and inspect it for missing parts such as tires, a battery, or a spark plug.
2. Approach the engine bay to install the spark plug and car battery into their respective slots.
3. Open the hood or look at the radiator to pour water inside using a filled Cooking Pot, Water Bottle, or Jerry Can.
4. If a tire is missing, equip the Van 01 Wheel and interact with the wheel hub to attach it.
5. Use the "Attach" action to fix doors or trunks, such as the Van 01 Door 1 1 or Van 01 Trunk 1, to secure the vehicle.
6. Enter the driver's seat, hold the ignition button to start the engine, and check the dashboard icons for red warnings.
7. Engage first gear and accelerate slowly, ensuring the vehicle is not slipping on uneven terrain.

Tips

• Always keep a spare radiator and spark plug in the Van 01 Interior storage to perform field repairs under fire.
• Use the lean function while driving to get a better view of the road and detect ambushes or landmines.
• Avoid driving at high speeds on server restarts, as vehicles can desync and collide with the ground upon initialization.
• Park vehicles inside thick treelines or bushes to prevent them from being spotted by aerial surveillance or snipers.
• If the vehicle begins to smoke, stop immediately; a ruined radiator will cause the engine to seize permanently.

Common Mistakes

• Driving with low coolant; once the radiator empties, the engine will overheat and ruin within seconds.
• Neglecting to lock doors, such as the Van 01 Door 2 2, which allows intruders to steal items from the Van 01 Trunk 2.
• Accelerating through deep forests; a hidden stump can ruin a Van 01 Wheel instantly, leaving you stranded.
• Leaving the engine running while looting; this consumes fuel unnecessarily and creates noise that attracts players.

Related Items

• Van 01
• Van 01 Wheel
• Van 01 Trunk 1
• Van 01 Door 1 1
• Windscreen Box
• Van 01 Interior

Related Guides

• Base Building
• Inventory Management
• Navigation and Maps