EquipmentVehicle Part
Car Radiator
A Car Radiator is a vehicle part in DayZ required to keep most vehicles from overheating. After installing it, fill it with water before driving. A full radiator holds about 5,850 ml of water.
Quick item summary
TypeVehicle Part
Main useCool vehicle engines
Capacity5,850 ml
NeedsWater after installation
Can secure withScrewdriver
Quick answer
The Car Radiator is a vehicle repair component used for engine cooling. It must be installed and filled with water after being attached to a vehicle. Driving without enough water in the radiator can damage the vehicle over time.
In-game description
“Radiator that connects to the engine block. Used for cooling a car engine with a coolant, typically water based.”
Main Uses
- Cool a vehicle engine
- Prevent overheating while driving
- Restore a vehicle during car repair
- Hold water as engine coolant
- Secure in place with a Screwdriver after installation
How to use this item
Install a Car Radiator
Vehicles need a radiator installed before they can be safely driven for long periods.
- Find a vehicle that needs a radiator.
- Open the vehicle inventory.
- Place the Car Radiator into the radiator slot.
- Fill the radiator with water before driving.
- Use a Screwdriver to secure it in place if needed.
Fill the radiator with water
A radiator needs water after installation. A completely full radiator holds about 5,850 ml.
- Install the Car Radiator in the vehicle.
- Use a water container such as a Water Bottle, Canteen, or Cooking Pot.
- Add water to the radiator.
- Keep filling until the radiator is full or safely above the minimum level.
- Avoid driving for long with a low radiator level.
Secure the radiator
If the radiator is attached to a vehicle, a Screwdriver can be used to secure it in place.
- Install the Car Radiator.
- Hold or use a Screwdriver near the vehicle.
- Use the secure action if available.
How to get Car Radiator
- Search industrial loot areas.
- Check garages, workshops, sheds, warehouses, and industrial buildings.
- Look around vehicle spawns and vehicle-related loot routes.
- Take one from abandoned cars, bases, stashes, or other players when safe.
Spawn info
IndustrialVehiclesUncommon
- • Car Radiators spawn in industrial and vehicle-related locations.
- • The wiki lists vehicle occurrence with a 60% chance.
- • They are required for safe long-term vehicle operation.
Important notes
- A Car Radiator must be filled with water after being installed.
- A full Car Radiator holds about 5,850 ml of water.
- A vehicle may run briefly with a partially filled radiator, but driving like that for long can damage the vehicle.
- As of DayZ SA 1.02, the Car Radiator is automatically emptied when removed from a vehicle.
- A Screwdriver can be used to secure an attached Car Radiator in place.
- The Car Radiator cannot be repaired.
- The Blowtorch cannot repair a Car Radiator.
- It takes 20 inventory slots and weighs 2 kg.
- It is listed as uncommon and spawns in industrial and vehicle locations.