Vehicles are one of the primary means of traversing long distances in Project Zomboid. By default, vehicles can spawn with a wide range of variables, such as having fuel, being locked, or even having alarms. Players can start with various skills that affect driving, such as Sunday Driver or Speed Demon. Players can also create characters with the burglar profession to hotwire cars, preventing the need for a key.

Note: Server admins can change server settings without restarting the server. Click here to jump to the admin menu method.

How to Change the Vehicle Settings on a Project Zomboid Server (Panel)

1. Log in to the BisectHosting Starbase panel.

2. Stop the server.

3. Go to the Files tab.

4. Find the following directory: /home/container/.cache/server

5. Open the [SaveName]_SandboxVars.lua file.

6. Adjust the Vehicle Settings as desired.

Note: For options with set ranges (such as 1-4) higher values result in more frequent/higher amounts.

Setting	Description
`EnableVehicles = [true/false]`	Sets if vehicles can spawn.
`VehicleEasyUse = [true/false]`	Whether vehicles spawn locked or need keys.
`RecentlySurvivorVehicles = [1-4]`	How frequently cars in good condition can be found.
`ZombieAttractionMultiplier = [Value]`	Sets the general engine loudness to zombie.
`CarSpawnRate = [1-5]`	How frequently vehicles can be found.
`ChanceHasGas = [1-3]`	The chances of finding vehicles with fuel.
`InitialGas = [1-6]`	How full vehicle gas tanks will be when found.
`CarGasConsumption = [Value]`	The rate at which vehicles consume gas.
`LockedCar = [1-6]`	How likely cars are to be locked.
`CarGeneralCondition = [1-5]`	The general condition of cars around the map.
`TrafficJam = [true/false]`	Sets if traffic jams containing wrecked cars can appear.
`CarAlarm = [1-6]`	How frequently cars will be discovered with active alarms.
`PlayerDamageFromCrash = [true/false]`	Sets whether a player can become injured from car accidents.
`CarDamageOnImpact = [1-5]`	Sets the amount of damage dealt to vehicles when they crash.
`SirenShutoffHours = [Value]`	How many in-game hours before an active siren will shut off.
`DamageToPlayerFromHitByACar = [1-5]`	Sets the amount of damage received by players when a vehicle hits them.
`SirenEffectsZombie = [true/false]`	Sets whether vehicle sirens attract zombies.

7. Press the Save button.

8. Start the server.

How to Change the Vehicle Settings on a Project Zomboid Server (Admin Menu)

1. Join the server as an admin.

2. Click the Admin icon.

3. Select Sandbox Options.

4. Open the Vehicles menu.

5. Adjust the Vehicle Settings as desired.

Setting	Description
Vehicles	Sets if vehicles can spawn.
Easy Use	Whether vehicles spawn locked or need keys.
Recent Survivor Vehicles	How frequently cars in good condition can be found.
Zombie Attraction Multiplier	Sets the general engine loudness to zombie.
Vehicle Spawn Rate	How frequently vehicles can be found.
Chance Has Gas	The chances of finding vehicles with fuel.
Initial Gas	How full vehicle gas tanks will be when found.
Gas Consumption	The rate at which vehicles consume gas.
Locked Vehicle Frequency	How likely cars are to be locked.
General Condition	The general condition of cars around the map.
Car Wreck Congestion	Sets if traffic jams containing wrecked cars can appear.
Vehicle Alarms Frequency	How frequently cars will be discovered with active alarms.
Player Damage From Crash	Sets whether a player can become injured from car accidents.
Car Damage on Impact	Sets the amount of damage dealt to vehicles when they crash.
Siren Shutoff Hours	How many in-game hours before an active siren will shut off.
Player Damage From Vehicle Impact	Sets the amount of damage received by players when a vehicle hits them.
Vehicle Sirens Attract Zombies	Sets whether vehicle sirens attract zombies.

6. Choose Apply Changes.