Gas: how do I not run out?

[Glamorpuss]

I've been playing quite a bit since yesterday when I bought the game, and I'm getting a feel for most of the mechanics. Kiting monsters, picking which loot to keep, trying to get a van, luggage rack, or backpacks so everyone can hold more valuable things, and picking locations farther away from the road for less monsters.

The one thing I can't seem to get a handle on, is gas for my vehicle. I very rarely find any gas in normal locations, and the gas stations I find tend to be close to the road and therefore full of monsters. Are you supposed to skip out on many locations along the road to save gas, or is there some other strategy I'm missing out on?

[Grrrth]

In my experience gas must be a priority over everything else. My strategy so far has been to use the East coast to fill my tank as much as possible, and usually by the first road block I have a full tank. Once you get a roof rack you can start combining the gas cans and stockpiling them onto the roof rack for a backup. I've also heard there's another vehicle mod that allows you to up the gas capacity.

In general, the baddies in the first two zones can be distracted by a party member just by leading them around the map while someone else gathers as much gas as possible. The baddies move so slowly and predictably in the first two zones that it’s unlikely that you will get trapped by one just by kiting it (kind of cheese, but it works).

I’m not sure where exactly you are looking for gas other than the cans lying on the road and the gas pumps, but every generator I’ve come across can be siphoned as well as about 50% of the working vehicles you come across (some have no gas). In a pinch I’ve also looted gas from the trader’s camp out of their car, but I’m pretty sure this brings some bad karma later.

Another good spot to check is where there is another vehicle available. Even if it’s not a vehicle you want there’s usually gas around that map. If the car I find is better than what I’m driving, I’ll also siphon the gas out of my old car and fill the new one which typically already has some gas in it, so I’m leaving that stop with more gas than I started with and a new ride.

Above all, I don’t try to hit every spot on the map, since many locations have little to no gas and you can really waste a lot by visiting them. Essentially, the first two zones I’m only looking for gas, and picking up whatever else is useful on those maps. Once I feel like I have room to explore without worrying about gas I’ll start exploring for other types of items, but as soon as I’m below 6 then I’m back looking for gas until I’m at capacity again.

I’m sure others have some more tips, but I hope this helps!