Overview
In this guide i will do my best to give you all needed information about the Mechanics Skill of Project ZomboidThis guide is based on the vanilla version of the game, with no mods installed.Guide updated as of build 41 Version 41.33 – IWBUMS.If something is missing, incorrect or you would like me to add anything to the guide, feel free to leave a comment. Even if you find a car that is totally wrecked, you can still get it to a high overall condition and drive safely, until you eventually die. 🙂
Level Requirements
Mechanics Level 0
- Radio
- Battery
- Headlights and Taillights
Mechanics Level 1
- Seats
- Tires
Mechanics Level 2
No new available parts at this level.
Mechanics Level 3
- Brakes
- Suspension
- Hood
- Trunk Lid
- Front and Rear Door Windows
Mechanics Level 4
- You can start taking out parts of the Engine and Repairing it on Standard Vehicles
- Front and Rear Doors
Mechanics Level 5
- Muffler
- Front and Rear Windshield
Note: Leveling mechanics beyond this point does not unlock any new parts for Standard Vehicles.
Mechanics Level 0
- Radio
- Battery
- Headlights and Taillights
Mechanics Level 1
- Tires
Mechanics Level 2
- Seats
Mechanics Level 3
- Hood
- Trunk Lid
- Front and Middle Door Windows
Mechanics Level 4
- Front, Middle and Rear Doors
Mechanics Level 5
- You can start taking out parts of the Engine and Repairing it on Heavy-Duty Vehicles
- Gas Tank
- Muffler
- Front and Rear Windshield
Mechanics Level 6
- Brakes
- Suspension
Note: Leveling mechanics beyond this point does not unlock any new parts for Heavy-Duty Vehicles.
Mechanics Level 0
- Radio
- Battery
- Headlights and Taillights
Mechanics Level 1
- Tires
- Seats(But only for the Dash Elite)
Mechanics Level 2
- Seats
Mechanics Level 3
- Hood
- Trunk Lid
- Front and Rear Door Windows
Mechanics Level 4
- Front and Rear Doors
Mechanics Level 5
- Gas Tank
- Muffler
- Front and Rear Windshield
Mechanics Level 6
- You can start taking out parts of the Engine and Repairing it on Sport Vehicles
Mechanics Level 7
- Brakes
- Suspension
Note: Leveling Mechanics beyond this point does not unlock any new parts for Sport Vehicles.
There is a chance of damaging parts upon disassembly. I couldn’t find any information if gaining higher levels gives higher chances of not damaging parts, would be grateful if anyone knows.
Taking off and putting back on tires and brakes with a high mechanics skill gives a boost to tire friction and brake force(Thanks to Pe6yc for this information). I tested this with level 10 Mechanics and it changed tire friction on a 90% condition tire from 1.1 to 2.1, and reinstalled all 4 brakes also with high condition, and it changed from 71 total braking force to 82. So it seems you gain 10% better tire friction and a small boost to braking force with each level of Mechanics. Please leave a comment with other benefits of leveling Mechanics so i can add it here.
Repairable Parts
Parts that are repairable:
- Engine is repairable using Spare Engine Parts
Note: These parts can be taken out of any car, although make sure to find a high Engine Quality stat car (90+) because it takes more time to start the car with a low quality engine. Also, don’t mix quality and condition stats, those are different. - Trunk is repairable using 2 Duct Tape, 2 Glue or 1 Small Metal Sheet
- Front Doors are repairable using 2 Duct Tape, 2 Glue or 1 Small Metal Sheet
- Rear Doors are repairable using 2 Duct Tape, 2 Glue or 1 Small Metal Sheet
- Gas Tanks are repairable using 2 Duct Tape, 2 Glue or 1 Small Metal Sheet
- Seats are repairable using 2 Duct Tape or 2 Glue
Note: Seats in my opinion are completely not worth repairing because they consume too many materials. You’re better of replacing them entirely.
For the moment these are (sadly) all the repairable parts in a car.
Replacable Parts
Parts that are replacable only:
- Radios
- Tires
- Brakes
- Suspension
- Muffler
- All sorts of windows
- Light Bulbs
- Car Batteries are both replacable and rechargeable
Note: The condition of a car battery is separate to the remaining power, although they can be easily mixed up. A car battery’s condition determines its capacity and effectiveness at starting a vehicle engine.
Note
I will do my best to update this guide with any new information, please leave a comment if you know about something that is not in the above, so all of us can learn something new. 🙂