Car Parts are so hard to find!

[AleKote]

Can't even find one and walking is so boring and slow...

[Guyver8]

you can smash wrecked cars (cars that aren't lootable) with a melee weapon/tool, you get sheet metal, scrap metal and sometimes (RNG) car parts, there are numerous places where you'll find lots of cars... (but clear the area b4 you start bashing stuff... just sayin')

[raventhehunter]

Originally posted by AleKote:

Can't even find one and walking is so boring and slow...

I don't know how easy it'll be to reach that part of the map from wherever you are right now, but the southwest corner has a shopping area with a hardware store and a minimall with a gas station. Behind the hardware store is the box truck (absolute king of hauling your junk) and the gas station will have a random vehicle parked by the pumps as well, with a third (and also random) vehicle on the road heading south past the intersection. There's lots of wrecked cars in the parking lots and surrounding area to smash for the possible parts you need to get those up and running, the gas station has fuel can and pumps to siphon from, and the vehicles themselves might have some or even all of the parts you need (between the three of them) to get one going.

Just be careful of that area, because I've seen sprinters and poison fatties wandering around in that area. And if you go too far north past the intersection, you'll hit a small bandit camp as well.

[Tallowate]

Best thing to do (in my opinion) is place markers on your map when you find locations that are automotive shops or repair garages. These locations usually have lots of random car parts. Also, as mentioned above by @raventhehunter, you can salvage car parts from drive-able vehicles from the engine compartment (when they have them), or get occasional parts from breaking down broken vehicles. The bonus for re-visiting auto shop locations is that when items respawn, they're random, so you should be able to find what you need reasonably quick.
The only time I've had any real difficulty finding the car parts I've needed is when I set the loot scarcity to the lowest settings, trying to add a challenge. But even then, once I start hoarding the parts I find back at my base, I still have plenty of extras.

[The Derektor]

Originally posted by AleKote:

Can't even find one and walking is so boring and slow...

Don't forget you can also call in a trader on the CB radio, hopefully snagging the auto parts trader. Once we finish the Skills & Professions overhaul, there will be some skills to call in specific traders and/or have a guaranteed chance at the trader showing up, maybe even allow you to not have to wait the 12 game hours to call another ;) Stay tuned for more secrets ;)

[KingOfFriedChicken]

Originally posted by Guyver8:

you can smash wrecked cars (cars that aren't lootable) with a melee weapon/tool, you get sheet metal, scrap metal and sometimes (RNG) car parts, there are numerous places where you'll find lots of cars... (but clear the area b4 you start bashing stuff... just sayin')

Omg that's awesome xD they should tell us that in the tutorial! Now I just need to figure out how to find cement rofl finally got a fuel pump after like 7 car batteries

[raventhehunter]

Originally posted by KingOfFriedChicken:

Now I just need to figure out how to find cement

Hardware stores are your best bet for anything build-related.

[Gar]

Either this is a troll post or you are new and very early in the game. Auto-parts shops are infested with every vehicle part you can imagine (even on Default loot rarity setting). Maybe you're playing on a server that has this turned down.

[FuBar]

Originally posted by Gar:

Either this is a troll post or you are new and very early in the game. Auto-parts shops are infested with every vehicle part you can imagine (even on Default loot rarity setting). Maybe you're playing on a server that has this turned down.

this

[KingOfFriedChicken]

Originally posted by FuBar:

Originally posted by Gar:

Either this is a troll post or you are new and very early in the game. Auto-parts shops are infested with every vehicle part you can imagine (even on Default loot rarity setting). Maybe you're playing on a server that has this turned down.

this

Likely new, I had similar experiences and yes I am new. The tutorial might need to expand on some features in at least text on where to find car parts and that you can disassemble the broke down cars for parts to lol

New players don't know where stores are or what's in them or that they may even exist. I'd advise not putting it in text cuz plenty of people don't read it or skin quickly they miss details xD if we wanna avoid them asking here that is.

[c.jackharkness]

at the easy starter point ive found if you leave and turn right and enter that first housing complex residential area the first garage on the left , 2 bays and one door half closed , has excellent loot .
car parts , elec book , genny engines , bear trap . it is consitant regardless of loot setting .