Mechanics and car repair

Mechanics needs 32,775 XP to go from 0 to 10 (75, 150, 300, 750, 1,500, 3,000, 4,500, 6,000, 7,500 and 9,000 per level).

Starting levels matter a lot. With no starting Mechanics, every point of Mechanics XP is multiplied by 0.25. One starting level gives x1, two gives x1.33, and three or more gives x1.66.

• Mechanic occupation: +4 Mechanics and every vehicle-class recipe (it was +3 in Build 41).
• Vehicle Knowledge trait (3 points): +1 Mechanics and the standard and commercial recipes. It replaces Build 41's Amateur Mechanic.
• Crafty (3 points): x1.3 XP to crafting skills including Mechanics. Not compatible with Fast or Slow Learner.

All of these are on traits and occupations.

Every vehicle belongs to one of three classes: Standard, Heavy-Duty or Sport. Parts only fit vehicles of the same class, so a sports car tire will not go on a van.

Most part work needs the matching Laines Auto Manual magazine: Standard, Commercial (heavy-duty) or Performance (sport). The Mechanic occupation already knows all three. Build 42 also adds local liveries such as town police cars and business vans; the full list is on every vehicle.

Open the repair screen by right-clicking the car and choosing Vehicle Mechanics, pressing U, or using the Mechanics option in the V radial menu. Open the hood for engine parts.

The skill levels are the ones set in the game's vehicle part files (game files). Heavy-duty and sport vehicles can ask for more, so check the tooltip. A multitool, handiknife or improvised screwdriver can stand in for a screwdriver. Every failed attempt gives 1 XP and can damage the part.

Each key opens only its own car. Check the ignition, the glove box, the ground around the car and nearby zombie bodies. On the 42.22 Pre-Release, keys reportedly no longer spawn right next to untouched cars (one source).

Hotwiring needs Electrical 1 and Mechanics 2, or the Burglar occupation. Sit in the driver's seat and choose Hotwire Engine from the V radial menu. Cars in better condition are harder to hotwire, and a failed attempt makes noise and can trigger the alarm.

• Siphoning in Build 42 needs a rubber hose plus a container. In Build 41 an empty gas can was enough.
• A gas can holds 10 L and a jerry can 20 L. Pouring into a car or filling from a pump needs no hose.
• After the power cut, pumps only work with a generator connected, and they never refill.
• Lights, radio and heater drain the battery while the engine is off. A running engine slowly recharges it.
• A car battery charger on a powered tile refills an empty battery in about 6 game hours (one source). Charging restores charge, not condition.

Each successful install or uninstall pays XP once per part, per car, per action, and that payout resets after 24 in-game hours. Base XP grows with the part's requirement, from about 1 XP for easy parts up to about 13 for brakes and suspension on commercial and sport vehicles (one source).

1. Watch the three Carzone VHS tapes (6 lessons each, 50 base XP). By default tapes stop helping at level 3.
2. Read the book for your level: Vol. I x3, II x5, III x8, IV x12, V x16 (see skill books).
3. Find a parking lot or junkyard and strip and refit different parts on different cars. The same part on the same car pays once a day.
4. Move up to brakes and suspension once you have the level; they pay most.

Opinion One car park and a stack of Mechanics books is a better week than any loot run.