Vehicle parts in Project Zomboid

Every vehicle in Project Zomboid is a set of parts, each with its own condition from 0 to 100%. Open the mechanics window (stand by the car and press E, or right-click and choose Vehicle Mechanics) to see them. Right-click a part to uninstall, install or repair it. The window lists the tools, skill level and recipe each action needs and shows your chance of success.

Two failure rules matter. A failed install or removal gives only 1 Mechanics XP and can damage the part. Successful work gives XP once for each part, vehicle and action, so you cannot farm the same door forever. A removed part keeps the condition it had on the donor car, which makes wrecks a good source of spares. The Mechanics guide covers leveling in depth.

Most parts come in a grid of nine: three vehicle classes times three quality tiers. The item name shows both, for example "Brake - Performance (Sports Vehicle)".

• Vehicle class decides what fits. A part made for a Standard vehicle (family cars like the Chevalier Nyala, Chevalier Dart and Masterson Horizon) will not go on a Heavy-Duty vehicle (the Step Van, Franklin Valuline, Dash Bulldriver, Chevalier D6 and ambulance) or a Sports vehicle (the Chevalier Cossette, Dash Elite and race car). Check a car's class on the vehicle list.
• Quality (Old, Regular, Performance) decides how good the part is. Any tier fits as long as the class matches.

Not every part uses all three tiers. Suspension comes only as Regular and Performance. Gas tanks are sized Small, Regular and Big instead. Doors, the hood, trunk lid, windows, windshields, seats and batteries have one version per class with no quality tier. The figures below come from game item data listed on pzfans.com (one source).

Mufflers also carry an engine loudness value (80 Old, 100 Regular, 120 Performance), but the data does not make clear which direction is quieter, so test in game before relying on it.

• Engine: makes the car go. It is not swapped as one part; you repair it with Spare Engine Parts or take parts from it, at the vehicle's own Mechanics level.
• Battery: starts the engine and runs lights and radio when the engine is off. See batteries for charging.
• Brakes: one per wheel. Worn brakes stretch your stopping distance.
• Suspension: one per wheel. Affects handling over rough ground.
• Tires: grip and speed. A tire at 0% must be replaced.
• Gas tank: holds fuel; a damaged tank leaks. It must be empty to remove.
• Muffler: controls engine noise. A bad muffler draws zombies from far away.
• Doors, hood and trunk lid: protection and access. The hood covers the engine and the trunk lid guards the trunk.
• Windshield, rear windshield and windows: keep zombies from grabbing you. Broken glass lets them reach in.
• Seats: each seat is a passenger slot and a small storage space (capacity 20).
• Headlights and radio: light and sound. Quick screwdriver jobs.
• Trunk and glove box: storage, built into the body and not swapped like other parts.

Each vehicle sets its own requirements, so always read the mechanics window. A Build 42.20 guide lists these shared defaults (one source), and pindrop.gg's per-car pages broadly agree. For the Chevalier Nyala it lists tires and seats at level 1, brakes, hood, suspension, trunk lid and windows at 3, doors at 4, and gas tank, muffler and windshield at 5.

Two exceptions stand out. On Sports cars such as the Dash Elite and Chevalier Cossette, brakes, gas tank and suspension need level 7 and the Advanced Mechanics recipe. On Heavy-Duty vehicles such as the Franklin Valuline, the gas tank needs level 7 and Intermediate Mechanics. One older guide gives much lower levels (brakes 2, gas tank 3); that does not match current Build 42 data.

The recipes come from three magazines: Laines Standard Auto Manual (Basic Mechanics), Laines Commercial Auto Manual (Intermediate) and Laines Performance Auto Manual (Advanced). See magazines and skill books to find them.

• Other vehicles. The main source. Strip parts from abandoned cars of the same class. Pick the one with the best condition. If the car is locked, see locks and keys.
• Mechanic shops and auto stores. Shelves in these shops are sorted by type (wheels, brakes, tools). Performance brakes, for example, appear on mechanic brake shelves at low odds.
• Junkyards and parking lots. Many cars spawn there, so they work like parts warehouses.
• Trunks. Some trunks hold a spare tire.

Loot parts often spawn damaged: around 30% of Performance brakes and 50% of Regular tires (one source). The loot locations guide lists shops by town. Opinion: keep a pile of the parts that fail most (tires, brakes, a battery) at your base, and grab Performance parts whenever you see them for your main car.

Levels are the shared Build 42 defaults; individual cars can ask for more. Weight is per part.

For tools see tools, for stripping cars see dismantling, and for choosing a car worth fixing see vehicles and best vehicles.