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The Car Bomb is a weapon first featured in Grand Theft Auto and has appeared in most titles since then.

Description[]

A Car Bomb, as implied, is an explosive device placed in a vehicle to be detonated. They differentiate as the games develop, but their general use hasn't changed ever since.

2D Universe[]

Although not physically seen, car bombs were primarily an extra weapon that can be purchased through bomb shops and are installed into the vehicle. There's only one type of car bomb available: time-delayed. When the player arms the bomb, the timer ticks for a few seconds before the bomb detonates.

In Grand Theft Auto, some parked cars in Vice City (like the F-19 and the Panther for example) are rigged with explosives, and will detonate after 5 seconds, with a warning message such as "This car is about to explode. Please make peace with whatever gods you may worship!".

3D Universe[]

Again not physically seen, car bombs were primarily an extra weapon that can be purchased through bomb shops and are installed into the vehicle.

There are three types of car bombs:

  • Engine Ignition Detonation: The player has to arm the bomb while in a car. When anyone enters the car, the bomb will immediately detonate.
  • Eight-Second Time Delay Detonation: The player has to arm the bomb in the car and wait eight seconds for the bomb to detonate.
  • Remote Detonation: The bomb is remotely detonated using a Detonator. In Grand Theft Auto Advance, it is used as a weapon and the player needs to place the car bomb in the car himself.

When a car bomb explodes in the 3D Universe games, the wanted level is not awarded or revived. However there can be several exceptions.

Grand Theft Auto IV[]

Car Bombs are reintroduced in Grand Theft Auto IV, this time as four explosive (possibly C-4) blocks with a phone attached to it via improvised wiring. Car bombs are first encountered in the Gerald McReary mission Actions Speak Louder than Words, where they are used to destroy a fuel depot by attaching it into the targets' Cognoscenti. The bombs are remote detonated through calling Packie on the cell phone and selecting Detonate. Using it will not award a wanted level, being a useful weapon for destroying Securicars.

The Car Bomb did not reappear in Episodes from Liberty City, although in The Ballad of Gay Tony, Sticky Bombs might be a convenient replacement (though they will self-detonate after a minute and 30 seconds).

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars[]

Car Bombs appears in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars as a single explosive with a timed detonator on it. They are introduced in the mission Operation Northwood.

After acquiring the bomb through a garage and upon entry, the touch screen will show a picture of the car's engine, which the player then must place the bomb onto and wire it up. Once placed in the car, the detonator symbol will appear in the PDA. This can be activated at any time, both in-vehicle and out, and will instantly destroy the car and any others or pedestrians surrounding it.

Grand Theft Auto Online[]

The Car Bomb is reintroduced in Grand Theft Auto Online as an optional installment for the vehicle. The player can use two types of car bombs:

  • Ignition bomb: Goes off when the vehicle engine is started by someone who is not the owner. For it to be activated, the Vehicle Access option on the Interaction Menu must allow that player to drive the car. Therefore, with the option "Passengers" or "No-one" it will never go off. It will go off on Friends/Crew if set to the proper setting or "Everyone", regardless of the Player Targeting Priority setting.
  • Remote bomb: Needs to be detonated by using the Cell Phone and calling the contact "Detonate", in a similar way to GTA IV.

Both types share some common traits:

  • Once a car bomb is set on a vehicle, the player will automatically exit Los Santos Customs and will not be able to enter again with the rigged vehicle.
  • Storing the rigged car in a personal garage, changing online sessions, leaving and re-entering online and participating in a Job or Activity will disarm the installed car bomb (with no compensation). Therefore, such vehicle will be customizable again in Los Santos Customs.
  • The owner will be the one who has to pay for the insurance deductible in case the vehicle was insured with Mors Mutual Insurance.
  • If the bomb is set off by a player who is in passive mode, the vehicle will be destroyed but the player will not die.

Gallery[]

Locations[]

In the 3D Universe, a Car Bomb costs $500.

Grand Theft Auto III[]

8-Ball's Bomb Shop

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]

8-Ball's Bomb Shop

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]

8-Ball's Bomb Shop

Welding & Weddings

Grand Theft Auto Advance[]

Unnamed Bomb Shop

Unknown Bomb Shop This bomb shop's name is unreadable.

Video Shop

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories[]

8-Ball's Bomb Shop

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories[]

8-Ball's Bomb Shop

Grand Theft Auto IV[]

  • Car bombs can be obtained through Patrick McReary as a friend special option, which will unlock the "Dial B for Bomb" achievement/trophy. They will be delivered to the player's general location and the player can place the bombs beneath cars, buses and light vans only.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars[]

  • Car Bombs can be fitted at a garage in North Holland. It costs $500, as in previous iterations. This is a remote detonation bomb.

Grand Theft Auto Online[]

  • Car Bombs are available in Los Santos Customs. The Ignition Bomb costs $5,000 and the Remote Bomb $7,500.

Navigation[]

Navigation
[ ve ]Weapons
ListsAll Weapons | Category | Beta Weapons | Cutscene Weapons
TypesMelee weapons | Handguns | Machine pistols | Submachine guns | Shotguns | Assault rifles | Sniper rifles | Throwables | Vehicle Mounted Weapons
Weapons inGTA VI | GTA Online | GTA V | Chinatown Wars | GTA IV (The Lost and Damned, The Ballad of Gay Tony) | Vice City Stories | Liberty City Stories | Advance | GTA San Andreas | GTA Vice City | GTA III | GTA 2 | GTA and London Packs
CategoriesGTA VI | GTA Online | GTA V | Chinatown Wars | GTA IV (The Lost and Damned, The Ballad of Gay Tony) | Vice City Stories | Liberty City Stories | Advance | GTA San Andreas | GTA Vice City | GTA III | GTA 2 | GTA and London Packs
Related topicsPickups | Ammu-Nation | Phil's Army Surplus | Phil's Place | Phil Cassidy's Fully Cocked Gun Shop | Stonewall J's | Weapon Vehicles | Shooting Ranges | Drive-By Shooting | Cover System
[ ve ]Weapons in Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto: London (1969/1961)
WeaponsFist | Pistol | Machine Gun | Flamethrower | Rocket Launcher
Car WeaponsCar Bomb
Deleted WeaponsPetrol Bomb
[ ve ]Weapons in Grand Theft Auto 2
WeaponsPistol | Dual Pistol | S-Uzi Machine Gun | Silenced S-Uzi Machine Gun | Shotgun | Flamethrower | ElectroGun | Rocket Launcher | Molotov Cocktails | Grenades
Car weaponsVehicle Machine Gun | Vehicle Oil Slick | Vehicle Mine | Vehicle bomb
Deleted weaponsInstant Vehicle Bomb | ElectroBaton
[ ve ]Weapons in Grand Theft Auto III
MeleeFist | Baseball Bat
Basic FirearmsAK47 | Pistol | M16 | Shotgun | Sniper Rifle | Uzi
Heavy WeaponsFlamethrower | Rocket Launcher
ExplosivesCar Bomb | Grenades | Molotov Cocktail
SpecialDetonator
BetaLand Mine
[ ve ]Weapons in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
UnarmedFist | Brass Knuckles
MeleeScrewdriver | Hammer | Knife | Meat Cleaver | Golf Club | Nightstick | Baseball Bat | Machete | Katana | Chainsaw
ThrownTear Gas (PS2 only) | Molotov | Grenade | Detonator Grenade
HandgunColt 45/Pistol | Colt Python/.357
ShotgunShotgun/Chrome Shotgun | Stubby Shotgun | Spaz 12 Shotgun/S.P.A.S. 12
SMGTec-9 | Ingram Mac 10/Mac | Uzi 9mm/Uz-I | MP5/MP
AssaultRuger/Kruger | M4
HeavyM60 | Flame Thrower | Rocket Launcher | Minigun
SniperSniper Rifle | PSG1/.308 Sniper
SpecialCamera | Detonator | Car Bomb
BetaAK-47 | Desert Eagle | Grenade Launcher | Land Mine | MP5K | Nailgun | Silver Colt 1911 | Steyr Aug | Taser
[ ve ]Weapons in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
UnarmedFist | Brass Knuckles
MeleeBaseball Bat | Chainsaw | Golf Club | Katana | Knife | Nightstick | Pool Cue | Shovel
HandgunDesert Eagle | Pistol/9mm | Silenced Pistol/9mm
ShotgunCombat Shotgun | Shotgun | Sawn-Off Shotgun
SMGMicro SMG | SMG | Tec9
AssaultAK-47 | M4
SniperRifle/Country Rifle | Sniper Rifle
HeavyFlamethrower | Rocket Launcher | Heat-Seeking Rocket Launcher | Minigun
ThrownGrenade | Molotov | Satchel Charges/Remote Explosives | Tear Gas
Consumable ItemsFire Extinguisher | Spray Can | Camera
GiftsCane | Dildo | Flowers | Vibrator
SpecialCar Bomb | Detonator | Night Vision | Parachute | Thermal Vision
OtherCrates | Surface-to-Air Missile | Flares | Vibrator 1 | Dildo 2
BetaGlock | Python | Mac-10 | MP5K | PSG1 | M60 | Nail Bat | Meat Cleaver | Machete | Screwdriver | Sledgehammer | Hammer | Skateboard | Stubby Shotgun | Land Mine
[ ve ]Weapons in Grand Theft Auto Advance
MeleeBaseball Bat | Fist | Katana
GunsAssault Rifle | Pistol | Shotgun | Uzi
HeavyFlamethrower | Minigun | Rocket Launcher
ExplosivesCar Bomb | Grenades | Molotov
SpecialDetonator
Deleted weaponsOil Slick
[ ve ]Weapons in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
UnarmedFist | Brass Knuckles
MeleeBaseball Bat | Nightstick | Machete | Meat Cleaver | Chisel | Knife | Hockey Stick | Fire Axe | Katana | Chainsaw
ThrownMolotov | Grenade | Remote Grenade
HandgunPistol | .357
ShotgunShotgun | Stubby Shotgun | SPAS 12
SMGTec-9 | Mac-10 | Micro SMG | SMG
AssaultAK | M4
HeavyM60 | Flame-Thrower | Rocket Launcher | Minigun
SniperSniper Rifle | Laser Sighted Sniper Rifle
SpecialCamera | Car Bomb | Detonator
UnusedTear Gas | Silver Colt 1911
[ ve ]Weapons in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
UnarmedFist | Brass Knuckles
MeleeNightstick | Baseball Bat | Butterfly Knife | Knife | Fire Axe | Golf Club | Machete | Katana | Chainsaw | Gaff Hook
ThrownMolotov | Grenade | Remote Grenade
HandgunPistol | Equalizer
ShotgunShotgun | Stubby Shotgun | Spaz 12
SMGScorpion | Silenced MG | Micro SMG | SMG
AssaultAK | Assault Rifle
HeavyFlame-Thrower | Rocket Launcher | Minigun | M249
SniperSniper | Laser Sniper
SpecialCamera | Car Bomb | Binoculars | Detonator
UnusedTear Gas | Land Mine
[ ve ]Weapons in Grand Theft Auto IV, The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony
UnarmedFist
MeleeBaseball Bat | Knife | Pool Cue
HandgunPistol | Combat Pistol | Automatic 9mm | .44
ShotgunPump Shotgun | Combat Shotgun | Sawn-Off Shotgun | Assault Shotgun | Auto Shotgun
SMGMicro SMG | SMG | Assault SMG | Gold SMG
AssaultAssault Rifle | Carbine Rifle | Advanced MG
SniperSniper Rifle | Combat Sniper | Advanced Sniper
HeavyRocket Launcher | Grenade Launcher
ThrownMolotov | Grenade | Pipe Bomb | Sticky Bomb
SpecialCar Bomb | Random Pickable Objects | Parachute
.
BetaHammer | Nailgun | Python | Silenced Pistol | Sledgehammer | Zastava M70
Weapons in GTA IV (Category) | Weapons in The Lost and Damned (Category) | Weapons in The Ballad of Gay Tony (Category)
The Lost and Damned only. | The Ballad of Gay Tony only. | TLAD and TBOGT only.
[ ve ]Weapons in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
FistFist
MeleeNight Stick | Chainsaw | Baseball Bat | Teaser | Sword
HandgunPistol | Twin Pistols | Revolver
ShotgunShotgun | Stubby Shotgun | Double Barreled Shotgun
Submachine GunMicro SMG | SMG
Assault RifleAssault Rifle | Carbine Rifle
HeavyFlamethrower | Minigun | RPG
ThrownFlashbang | Molotov Cocktail | Grenade | Proximity Mine
SpecialCrates | Car Bomb | Detonator | Fire Extinguisher | Sniper Rifle
[ ve ]Weapons in Grand Theft Auto Online
MeleeAntique Cavalry Dagger | Baseball Bat | Battle Axe | Bottle | Candy Cane | Crowbar | Fist | Flashlight | Golf Club | Hammer | Hatchet | Knife | Knuckle Dusters | Machete | Nightstick | Pipe Wrench | Pool Cue | Switchblade | Stone Hatchet
HandgunsAP Pistol | Ceramic Pistol | Combat Pistol | Double-Action Revolver | Flare Gun | Heavy Pistol | Heavy Revolver (Mk II) | Marksman Pistol | Navy Revolver | Pistol (Mk II) | Pistol .50 | Perico Pistol | SNS Pistol (Mk II) | Stun Gun | Up-n-Atomizer | Vintage Pistol | WM 29 Pistol
ShotgunsAssault Shotgun | Bullpup Shotgun | Combat Shotgun | Double Barrel Shotgun | Heavy Shotgun | Musket | Pump Shotgun (Mk II) | Sawed-Off Shotgun | Sweeper Shotgun
Machine GunsAssault SMG | Combat MG (Mk II) | Combat PDW | Gusenberg Sweeper | Machine Pistol | MG | Micro SMG | Mini SMG | SMG (Mk II) | Tactical SMG | Unholy Hellbringer
AssaultAdvanced Rifle | Assault Rifle (Mk II) | Battle Rifle | Bullpup Rifle (Mk II) | Carbine Rifle (Mk II) | Compact Rifle | Heavy Rifle | Military Rifle | Service Carbine | Special Carbine (Mk II)
Sniper RiflesHeavy Sniper (Mk II) | Marksman Rifle (Mk II) | Precision Rifle | Sniper Rifle
HeavyCompact Grenade Launcher (EMP | Snowball) | Firework Launcher | Grenade Launcher | Homing Launcher | Minigun | Railgun | RPG | Widowmaker
ThrownAcid Package | Flare | Grenade | Jerry Can (Hazardous | Fertilizer) | Molotov | Proximity Mines | Pipe Bomb | Snowballs | Sticky Bomb | Tear Gas (BZ)
SpecialCar Bomb | Fireworks | Hacking Device | Metal Detector | Orbital Cannon | Parachute
.
Beta/UnknownAssault MG | Assault Sniper | Dippo | Fire Axe | Fire Extinguisher | Laser | Laser Sight | Lasso | Loudhailer | Programmable AR | Rubber Gun | Shovel | Tear Gas Launcher
ManufacturersCoil | Hawk & Little | Shrewsbury | Vom Feuer
Related PagesWeapon Wheel | Attachments | Ammu-Nation | Gun Van | Weapon Workshop | Weaponized Vehicles (Workshop)
DLC Content Weapons
The Chop Shop | San Andreas Mercenaries | Los Santos Drug Wars | The Criminal Enterprises | The Contract | Los Santos Tuners | The Cayo Perico Heist | Los Santos Summer Special | The Diamond Casino Heist | The Diamond Casino & Resort | Arena War | After Hours | Southern San Andreas Super Sport Series | The Doomsday Heist | Smuggler's Run | Gunrunning | Cunning Stunts: Special Vehicle Circuit | Import/Export | Bikers | Cunning Stunts | Further Adventures in Finance and Felony | Lowriders: Custom Classics | Be My Valentine | January 2016 Update | Festive Surprise 2015 | Executives and Other Criminals | Halloween Surprise | Lowriders | Freemode Events Update | Ill-Gotten Gains Part 2 | Ill-Gotten Gains Part 1 | Heists | Festive Surprise | The Last Team Standing Update | The San Andreas Flight School Update | The Independence Day Special | The "I'm Not a Hipster" Update | The High Life Update | The Business Update | The Valentine's Day Massacre Special | Holiday Gifts | Beach Bum Update

Other Weapons
Enhanced Version | Special/Collector's Edition and Pre-Order Bonus | Rockstar Games Social Club
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