Surviving the road

The player has constantly-draining needs — hunger, thirst and health — and the car needs fuel and fluids. Here's how to keep both alive on a long trip.

1 · Eat and drink

Hunger and thirst drain constantly. For hunger, eat food cans (two sizes, ~40% each), burgers and hot dogs (~40%). For thirst, drink water, soda cans (~40%), energy drinks (which also give a short running speed boost) or almond milk. Stock up at gas stations, the California Motel and campsites. Beware: alcohol actually increases thirst and gets you drunk — blurred vision and random steering.

2 · Stay healthy

Health drops from accidents and hazards. A first aid kit restores it. Never drink harmful liquids — engine oil, petrol and diesel all damage your health. Buckle your seat belt (left-click the upper belt) so a crash doesn't throw you through the windshield, and keep clear of hazards like landmines.

3 · Keep fuel and fluids topped up

Your car needs the right fuel for its engine (petrol or diesel), oil in the engine and water in the radiator. Wrong or mixed fuel slows you down. Carry spares in fuel canisters, jerry cans or barrels, and top up at gas-station pumps — green nozzle for petrol, red for diesel.

Managing your stats

Watch the hunger and thirst meters at the bottom-left and eat or drink before they empty — on higher difficulty they drain faster, so always carry spares.
Food cans, burgers and hot dogs each restore about 40% hunger; water, soda and energy drinks each restore about 40% thirst.
The energy drink's running speed boost is handy for escaping hazards on foot, or reaching a distant point of interest quickly.
Health only comes back with a first aid kit, so keep one in the car for emergencies after a crash.