Vehicle Guide: How to Use & Customize Vehicles

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (MW2) launches with a brand new Ground War mode that features a variety of vehicles to use. Read on to learn more about vehicles including how to use, drive, and pilot vehicles, how to customize vehicles, as well as some tips and tricks for vehicle combat.

How to Use Vehicles

Land Vehicles

Basic Land Vehicle Controls
Reverse	Accelerate
Handbrake	Switch Seats
Horn	Lean Out
Fire Weapon

Land Vehicles are typically used for transporting troops or pushing zones using mounted weapons. Light land vehicles such as the ATV and SUV are fast but offer little to no protection. Heavy land vehicles like Tanks and APCs are slower, but offer a lot more firepower and armor.

In the Ground War game mode, land vehicles are used to cross large distances between Capture Points, often transporting your squad to the next objective quickly and efficiently.

Air Vehicles

Basic Air Vehicle Controls
Descend	Ascend
Horn	Flare

Air Vehicles, unlike in other big-team battle titles, are primarily transport vehicles in Modern Warfare 2. These flying machines can get troops and even vehicles from one point of the map to another for a quick deployment.

Boats

Basic Boat Controls
Reverse	Accelerate
Horn	Switch Seats

Boats open up the Ground War levels by making areas susceptible to attacks from the sea. Launch amphibious assaults when pushing certain objectives and catch the enemies by surprise.

How to Customize Vehicles

Vehicle Skins

Vehicle Skins allow you to customize the appearance of vehicles that you board. The very first vehicle skin preview we have is the Floor It APC Skin from the MW2 Open Beta Rewards.

Different Vehicle Skins can be equipped for each vehicle in MW2 via the Main Menu > Vehicle Customization > Vehicle > Skins Tab.

Custom Horn Sounds

Horn Sounds will customize the sound of your vehicle's horn whenever you sound it off. Signal your approach by using a signature horn sound during multiplayer.

Different Horn Sounds can be equipped for each vehicle in MW2 via the Main Menu > Vehicle Customization > Vehicle > Horns Tab.

War Tracks

Just like in Warzone, Modern Warfare 2's vehicles also have access to War Tracks. These are songs you can blast through your vehicle's speakers as you make your way through the map with your allies.

Different War Tracks can be equipped for each vehicle in MW2 via the Main Menu > Vehicle Customization > Vehicle > War Tracks Tab.

Tips & Tricks for Using Vehicles

Vehicles are Mostly for Transport Some Vehicles Allow for More Passengers Vehicle Destruction is More Dynamic Pay Attention to Vehicle and Player Health

Vehicles are Mostly for Transport

Unlike in similar games that have big team battles with vehicle combat, vehicles in the new Ground War mode are primarily for transporting allies across the map. With the theme of MW2's multiplayer revolving around playing as a squad, it is fitting that coordination and teamplay are needed to utilize vehicles to their fullest.

Some Vehicles Allow for More Passengers

Some vehicles like the Armored Patrol Boat or Heavy Chopper will only have 1 seat for the pilot. The rest of the space is for players to board and move around in, dynamically. Take note of these vehicles since they usually need teammates as gunners in order to remain protected during transport.

Additionally, players can also use the dynamic space in certain vehicles to deploy field upgrades like a trophy system. Make sure to communicate with your team since vehicles are easily targeted and destroyed without the right coordination between the pilot/driver and the passengers.

Vehicle Destruction is More Dynamic

According to the developers, vehicle destruction in MW2 is more dynamic compared to older titles. Now, players have the option shoot out doors and expose the driver and passengers to small arms fire, or even shoot out vehicle tires to affect its maneuverability and speed. Be tactical when looking to disable vehicles especially if you do not have anti-vehicle weaponry in your loadout.

Pay Attention to Vehicle and Player Health

Separate from dynamic vehicle destruction is the overall health of the vehicle. At the bottom center of your screen (after boarding) will be an icon showing the layout of the vehicle and the different passenger seats. This icon will slowly fill up with red as your vehicle receives damage.

If the icon is fully topped up in red, the vehicle will automatically explode, killing any driver and passenger still in it. Before this happens, make sure to bail out to avoid a fiery death.

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