In Used Cars Simulator, hotwiring allows you to bypass a vehicle's ignition and steal it without keys. To hotwire a car, you must obtain a vehicle-compatible hotwire kit from the Break-In Store, break into the cabin, interact with the ignition prompt, and correctly guess the directional arrow puzzle. Successfully starting the engine instantly flags the vehicle as stolen and raises your notoriety, requiring prompt evasion and a plate replacement.
Necessary Tools and Where to Get Them
Stealing a car through hotwiring requires preparation before approaching the target. All illegal vehicle entry equipment is sold in the secluded Lake Camp settlement located deep in the swamp to the north. You can reach this location by taking a public bus from the center to the Lakeside Forest East stop.
- Hotwire Kit: Sold at the Break-In Store inside Lake Camp. Hotwire kits are not universal; each kit specifies compatible vehicle models (such as the Sportwagen Wolf, D-1CK truck, or McLorreta 420 Fiver). Prices range from roughly $396 to nearly $10,000 depending on the luxury tier of the target vehicle.
- Cabin Entry Tool: You need a way inside the vehicle before touching the ignition. You can use lockpicks purchased at the Break-In Store ($500 for a pack of five) or smash a side or rear window using a baseball bat purchased from the collector store in Lake Camp ($200).
- Angle Grinder: Required after hotwiring to cut off the factory license plates. You can purchase one from the hardware store (Heavy Metal Tools) for $500, or receive a used angle grinder during the initial Lake Camp story collaboration.
- Almost Legal License Plate: Sold at the License Plate Store in Lake Camp. Like hotwire kits, plates must match the specific car model you intend to steal (e.g., $420 for a Sportwagen Wolf plate).
Step-by-Step Hotwire Process
Once you locate your target vehicle in Saint City, Rainyville, or parked outside roadside properties, follow these steps to hotwire and secure the car:
- Save Your Progress: Hotwire kits can be consumed or wasted if you fail the mini-game, and police responsiveness can be punishing. Saving beforehand prevents costly losses.
- Gain Access to the Interior: Approach the driver side door and use lockpicks, or smash the rear window with a baseball bat. Aiming low toward the trunk or engine area when striking glass helps avoid damaging surrounding body panels.
- Initiate the Hotwire Mini-Game: Sit in the driver seat and select Hack Ignition. A confirmation prompt will warn you that starting the ignition using a hotwire kit will trigger police awareness once completed.
- Solve the Pin Combination: The hotwire mini-game presents a sequence of pins requiring directional inputs (Up or Down). Test each position sequentially. Since Update 22, the interface displays a green indicator arrow at the bottom whenever you land on the correct pin direction, allowing you to lock in progress rather than guessing from memory.
- Start the Engine: Once all correct pin directions are entered, the engine fires up immediately.
Evading Police and Legalizing the Stolen Car
Hotwiring immediately raises your criminal notoriety meter, indicated by a percentage and a handcuffs icon at the top right of your screen. Police cars will patrol the roads, set up checkpoints, and actively chase you if spotted.
- Ditch the Factory Plates Immediately: Pull into a safe spot or perform the swap directly after starting the car. Equip your angle grinder to cut off the original license plate, then open your inventory (right on the D-pad or keyboard shortcut), select your matching "Almost Legal" plate, and press assemble. This prevents instant detection at police checkouts.
- Escape Chases Using Speed or Hiding Spots: If police initiate a pursuit, maintain full throttle on paved roads or engage nitrous (shift key). Alternatively, drive directly into your designated hiding spot—such as your shed garage. Pulling inside before a squad car closes in breaks the pursuit. Ensure your garage floor is clear beforehand, as another parked car can block your entry.
- Use the Tow Truck for Safety: High-end cars take severe damage from minor road bumps, which destroys trade value. Transporting your acquired vehicle using the flatbed tow truck with secured winches protects the body panels from road collisions during transit back to your workshop.
Hotwire Kit Compatibility and Acquisition Costs
The table below outlines observed pricing and tool requirements across verified vehicles in Used Cars Simulator:
| Vehicle Model | Compatible Hotwire Kit Cost | Matching License Plate Cost | Entry Tool Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportwagen Wolf | ~$396 – $400 | ~$420 | Lockpicks or Baseball Bat |
| D-1CK (Truck) | Budget Tier (<$1,000) | Low Tier (<$500) | Lockpicks or Baseball Bat |
| McLorreta 420 Fiver | ~$9,840 – $10,000 | ~$12,300 | Lockpicks or Baseball Bat |
Restoring and Selling Stolen Vehicles
After bringing a hotwired car to your shed, you must prep it to maximize market value on UsedBay:
- Repair Structural Damage: Hit dented body sections with a hammer while holding scrap metal in your inventory to restore panel integrity.
- Order Missing Components: Log into the workshop PC or your portable tablet, open UsedBay, and filter by model. Look for items tagged with "You need this part!" to replace missing lights, mirrors, or shattered windows.
- Wash and Paint: Use the wash station to clean off road grime, then apply paint with the airbrush to eliminate surface rust.
- Photograph and List: Take three photos with your camera from different angles, set your listing price, and sleep in your bed to trigger incoming buyer offers.
- Pay Camp Boss Shares: If completing early syndicate missions, return to the Lake Camp Boss via bus or vehicle to deliver his agreed $1,000 cut and earn reputation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you hotwire without buying a model-specific kit?
No. The ignition interface requires a hotwire kit keyed specifically to that car model in your inventory before the Hack Ignition option can be activated.
Do hotwire kits get consumed on failure?
Yes. If you fail to solve the combination or abandon the sequence, the kit can be wasted. Experienced players carry three to four spare kits when targeting high-tier vehicles like the McLorreta.
How do you stop hunger and thirst from interrupting car thefts?
If you prefer not to manage eating chicken, drinking water, or bathroom meters during operations, open Settings and disable the "Body stat loss" option. This completely hides the survival meters without impacting vehicle trading mechanics. Alternatively, running over a roadside cactus and placing it into your inventory instantly restores your hydration meter.
