In Cyberpunk 2077, customizing your vehicle’s paint job is a key part of expressing your personal style in Night City. If you’re wondering exactly how to change car color cyberpunk, the process is straightforward but requires a specific in-game location. This guide will walk you through every step, from finding the right shop to choosing your new look.
Vehicle customization is a feature many players look forward to. It lets you personalize your rides beyond just performance upgrades. Changing a car’s color is one of the most visable ways to make it your own.
How To Change Car Color Cyberpunk
Unlike clothing or cyberware, you cannot modify your vehicles from your apartment or a standard ripperdoc. The entire process is centralized at one specific type of vendor. Here is the core method for changing your car’s appearance.
Visit An Auto Fixer Location
The only way to change your vehicle’s color is by using an Auto Fixer terminal. These are large, glowing blue kiosks found at specific gas stations and parking areas around Night City. They are marked on your map with a car icon and the label “Auto Fixer.”
You need to physically drive the car you want to customize to one of these locations. You cannot select from your entire owned fleet remotely; the vehicle must be present.
Interact With The Terminal
Once you park your car near the Auto Fixer terminal, walk up to it and press the prompt to interact. This will open the vehicle customization menu. The interface will show your current car and avalable options.
If the terminal doesn’t activate, ensure your car is parked close enough. Sometimes moving it a few feet closer is all it takes.
Navigating The Customization Menu
The menu is split into sections. You will see categories like Paint, Wheels, and Interior. Select the “Paint” category to proceed. This is where all color changes are made.
Select Your New Color
Inside the Paint menu, you can browse through available color options for your specific vehicle. Not every car has the same palette. High-end vehicles often have more exclusive or unique colors.
Scroll through the choices, each will be previewed on your car model in real-time. Take your time to see how the color looks in different lighting shown on the screen.
Confirm And Pay The Fee
After choosing your preferred color, you will need to confirm the selection and pay a small eddies fee. The cost is usually very reasonable, often between 100 and 1000 eddies depending on the vehicle.
Once the transaction is complete, exit the menu. Your car, which is parked beside you, will instantly update to its new color. You can get in and drive away immediately.
Important Limitations To Remember
There are a few key restrictions in the vehicle customization system. Knowing these will save you time and frustration.
- You cannot create custom colors. You are limited to the preset options available for that specific car model.
- Some unique or story-acquired vehicles cannot be modified at all. This includes certain reward cars.
- The Auto Fixer terminal only modifies one car at a time. You cannot switch colors for multiple vehicles in one session.
- Color changes are permanent until you pay to change them again. There is no free revert option.
Finding Auto Fixer Locations In Night City
Auto Fixer terminals are not on every corner. They are placed at specific points of interest. Here are some reliable locations across the major districts.
Watson District Locations
Watson has a couple of easy-to-access spots, especially early in the game.
- Northside: A prominent terminal is located at the gas station near the Med Center fast travel point. It’s very convienient and often the first one players find.
- Little China: Check the large parking area just to the east of the main market square. The terminal is against a wall here.
Westbrook District Locations
Westbrook, particularly the City Center area, hosts several terminals.
- Downtown: Look for the multi-story parking garage in the Corpo Plaza zone. The terminal is on the ground floor.
- Japantown: There is a gas station on the main road running through Japantown that features an Auto Fixer.
Heywood And Santo Domingo Locations
These districts have more spread-out terminals, often at standalone gas stations.
- The Glen: A reliable terminal is at the large fuel station on the southern end of the district, near the highway on-ramp.
- Arroyo: In Santo Domingo, the gas station close to the Arroyo fast travel point has a terminal.
Remember to open your map and look for the blue car icon. Scanning the map for this symbol is the fastest way to find your nearest customization spot.
Costs And Color Availability
The price and selection of colors is not uniform across all vehicles. Understanding this will help set your expectations.
How Pricing Works
The cost to change your car’s color is generally low, especially compared to buying a new vehicle. Common prices range from 100 to 1000 eddies. There’s no ongoing subscription or extra fees.
More expensive, high-tier cars do not necessarily charge more for a paint job. The fee seems tied to the base model type rather than its market value. It’s an affordable luxury for most players after the early game.
Understanding Color Options
Each vehicle has its own curated list of colors. A Thorton Galena will have a different set of options than a Rayfield Caliburn. The available palettes often fit the car’s theme—rusty colors for junkier cars, sleek metallics for luxury models.
You typically get between 5 to 12 color choices per car. These usually include:
- Standard matte colors (Red, Blue, Black, White, Yellow)
- Metallic finishes
- Two-tone or accent combinations for some models
- Occasionally, very unique finishes like chameleon paints for high-end rides
If you don’t like the current selection, you’re stuck with it. You cannot add new colors to a car’s list through gameplay.
Step By Step Walkthrough
Let’s break the entire process down into a simple, repeatable sequence. Follow these numbered steps for success every time.
- Open your map and locate a blue “Auto Fixer” icon. Set it as your waypoint.
- Drive the vehicle you wish to customize to that location. You must be inside the car.
- Park the car close to the glowing blue terminal kiosk.
- Exit the vehicle and approach the terminal. Press the interact button (e.g., “F” on PC).
- In the menu that opens, select the “Paint” category using your mouse or controller.
- Browse through the available color squares. Watch the car model update with each selection.
- Click on your chosen color to highlight it. Double-check the preview.
- Press the confirmation button (e.g., “E” on PC) to purchase the paint job.
- Exit the menu. Your physical car in the game world will now be the new color.
- Get back in your newly customized ride and drive off.
Tips For Effective Vehicle Customization
Beyond the basic steps, a few tips can enhance your experience and help you get the most out of the system.
Preview Colors In Different Light
The Auto Fixer terminal has its own lighting. A color might look different under the neon of Night City or in the desert sun of the Badlands. If you’re unsure, try saving your game before buying. After purchasing, drive the car out into different lighting to see if you still like it. You can always reload your save if you don’t.
Coordinate With Wheel Styles
The Paint menu is separate from the Wheels menu, but you can switch between them. Consider choosing a wheel style and color that complements your new paint job. Some players match wheel accents to a secondary color on the car’s body for a cohesive look.
Check For Special Vehicles
Before you get your heart set on a new look for a specific car, ensure it is actually customizable. Some vehicles, like the Porsche 911 from the “Ghost Town” quest or the MaiMai P126, cannot be modified. If the Auto Fixer terminal doesn’t show the car in the menu, it’s likely locked.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes things don’t work as expected. Here are solutions to frequent problems players encounter.
Terminal Not Activating
If you can’t interact with the Auto Fixer, check these points:
- Your car might be too far away. Repark it so its front end is very close to the kiosk.
- You might be in a scripted mission that temporarily locks interactions. Try again after completing your current objective.
- As a last resort, try saving your game and reloading that save. This can reset the terminal’s state.
Color Not Applying Correctly
In rare cases, the color might not change visually after purchase. This is usually a visual glitch.
- Try driving the car away from the terminal and then back again. The new color may load.
- Fast travel to a different district and then call the vehicle back. This often forces the game to load the updated asset.
- If the glitch persists, the save-and-reload method almost always fixes it.
Missing Or Limited Color Choices
If you feel your car has very few colors, remember that each model has a fixed set. A basic Thorton will not have the same pearlescent options as a Rayfield. This is not a bug, but a design choice reflecting the car’s tier and lore.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can You Change Car Color For Free In Cyberpunk 2077?
No, you cannot change your car color for free. Every paint job at an Auto Fixer terminal requires a payment of eddies. The cost is typically low, but it is never free.
Is There A Mod To Change Car Color?
Yes, on PC, there are mods available that expand vehicle customization. These mods can allow for custom color pickers, more paint finishes, and even the ability to modify normally locked vehicles. They are not avaliable on console versions.
How Do You Change The Color Of Your Main Car?
You change the color of your main car, or any car, the same way. Drive it to an Auto Fixer and use the terminal. There is no separate process for your default or most-used vehicle.
Can You Change Motorcycle Colors Too?
Yes, the Auto Fixer terminal works for both cars and motorcycles. The process is identical. Drive your bike to the terminal, interact, and select a new color from the Paint menu for that bike model.
Why Can’t I Modify My Car In Cyberpunk?
If you cannot modify your car, it is likely a special vehicle that the developers have locked. Story reward cars and some unique purchases fall into this catagory. Also, ensure you are at a correct Auto Fixer terminal and not just a regular gas pump.