Upgrading Vehicles

[Terror Reaper]

You need an Auto Shop to create Vehicle Upgrade Kits. But do you need an Auto Shop to upgrade vehicles? I moved to another base that doesn't have an Auto Shop, and I don't want to build one. Is there a way to upgrade without building the Auto Shop? Mechanics can't do it solo.

[Mringasa]

You can just buy a vehicle upgrade kit (light, medium, heavy) for your vehicle from any trader that sells them. If you have the Auto Mechanics (Enclave name will vary) on your map, and have completed their questline so they are set up in their shop, they sell them frequently for cheap. Light kits from them are somewhat rare from my experience, but it may just be bad RNG. Keep an eye out for the message that Enclaves have new stuff to trade if you're in need of a specific one.

Auto Shop is something of a waste imo, as the benefits from it aren't enough to justify taking up a slot that could be used for a Farm, Lounge or whatever with much better benefits. Especially since you can just buy the upgrade kits from Traders or Enclaves.

[Terror Reaper]

Great info about the Enclave that I didn't know. I'm not worried about how to get Upgrade Kits. I'm trying to figure out how to apply the kits to vehicles.

The Fortified Truck Stop in Providence Ridge comes with an Auto Shop, and I've upgraded vehicles freely. Now that I've moved bases and don't have an Auto Shop, I want to make sure that I'm getting this right.

Do I need an Auto Shop Facility to upgrade vehicles, not JUST to create Vehicle Upgrade Kits?

[Cutlass Jack]

You only need a parking space to use the kit.

[Mringasa]

Ohhhhh. Actually apply the upgrade. No, you don't need the Shop. Sorry I misunderstood.

When you have a vehicle parked in a space, at the front of the vehicle there's a menu popup for Upgrading. If you aim your vision at the cement block with yellow/black stripes it usually pops up there. Some Bases don't have these though, so it's kind of hit or miss if you can find it to interact with it.

That menu gives you the options to either Grab stuff from your storage and put it directly into the vehicle, or Upgrade the vehicle.

The upgrade kit has to be in your base's inventory, not your character's.

[KellyR]

Originally posted by Mringasa:

Ohhhhh. Actually apply the upgrade. No, you don't need the Shop. Sorry I misunderstood.

When you have a vehicle parked in a space, at the front of the vehicle there's a menu popup for Upgrading. If you aim your vision at the cement block with yellow/black stripes it usually pops up there. Some Bases don't have these though, so it's kind of hit or miss if you can find it to interact with it.

That menu gives you the options to either Grab stuff from your storage and put it directly into the vehicle, or Upgrade the vehicle.

The upgrade kit has to be in your base's inventory, not your character's.

Just hit B to bring up the base customization menu, select the parking space your car is parked in, and then click the upgrade button.

No need to futz around trying to find the right spot to look at ;-)

[Your Neighbour]

Originally posted by Terror Reaper:

You need an Auto Shop to create Vehicle Upgrade Kits. But do you need an Auto Shop to upgrade vehicles? I moved to another base that doesn't have an Auto Shop, and I don't want to build one. Is there a way to upgrade without building the Auto Shop? Mechanics can't do it solo.

You dont, look for "Mystery Trader"

They are not wandering trader. Mystery trader sells upgrades you can put them on cars without vehicle workshop, I never had one and I still upgraded the car, the car is restored to full fuel and HP on upgrade, but make sure you get the right type of upgrade for your car, they come in light medium and heavy.

Also I think the fuel efficiency improves, my military truck before upgrade eats fuel like crazy, after upgrade 1 full tank I could drive a circle around Drucker

[Mringasa]

Originally posted by KellyR:

Originally posted by Mringasa:

Ohhhhh. Actually apply the upgrade. No, you don't need the Shop. Sorry I misunderstood.

When you have a vehicle parked in a space, at the front of the vehicle there's a menu popup for Upgrading. If you aim your vision at the cement block with yellow/black stripes it usually pops up there. Some Bases don't have these though, so it's kind of hit or miss if you can find it to interact with it.

That menu gives you the options to either Grab stuff from your storage and put it directly into the vehicle, or Upgrade the vehicle.

The upgrade kit has to be in your base's inventory, not your character's.

Just hit B to bring up the base customization menu, select the parking space your car is parked in, and then click the upgrade button.

No need to futz around trying to find the right spot to look at ;-)

Immersion! *cough*

But really. I have played through 3 times and did not realize that. Thanks! Never even thought to check it.

[KellyR]

Originally posted by Mringasa:

Originally posted by KellyR:

Just hit B to bring up the base customization menu, select the parking space your car is parked in, and then click the upgrade button.

No need to futz around trying to find the right spot to look at ;-)

Immersion! *cough*

But really. I have played through 3 times and did not realize that. Thanks! Never even thought to check it.

You're welcome :D

[Cutlass Jack]

Yeah you can do nearly all base functions from your base menu without even being in base. It can be super handy when you need fuel, repair kits, or other supplies crafted and have them magically teleported to you at the nearest outpost you just created for that purpose.

I'm so lazy. :D

[Amarum]

I dont know what i´m doing wrong, but i have a medium upgrade kit and the miragra is parked and shows up in the base menu in the parking slot. I tried having it in the base inventory and in character inventory but it wont get applied to the car.

[Amarum]

Ok relog fixed it.

[adventist]

for general...
when you buy a upgrade kit, before you buy read the info about on which type of Vehicle you can use. i dont rememeber exactly however couple of them it gives you sense as "light" but its "medium" indeed and vice versa. for example, miagra looks like "light" but requires "medium" kit.

[❃ Galiäna Krüger ❃]

Originally posted by Terror Reaper:

You need an Auto Shop to create Vehicle Upgrade Kits. But do you need an Auto Shop to upgrade vehicles? I moved to another base that doesn't have an Auto Shop, and I don't want to build one. Is there a way to upgrade without building the Auto Shop? Mechanics can't do it solo.

No, as long you have upgrade kit available you can use them at Parked spot on cars with matching size (i.e. passenger van = heavy , popo = medium , trekker = light)

[drednicolson]

The Auto Shop's gas efficiency bonus is a big help on Nightmare and Lethal, since gas cans cost double Fuel and you're making constant commutes to kill two dozen+ hearts all over the map.

[Protectron]

Automechanic fuel efficiency bonus + Auto Shop bonus over halves the fuel consumption. This is actually significant, especially if you use gas guzzlers such as the Impaler.

In addition, bulk repair kit production and the bonus to vehicle Health is also helpful. Not a wasted slot at all. Although I do concur that other large slots are more important, like Trade Depot, Barracks and Lounge 3.