Arc Raiders Patrol Car Key: What Map and How to Find It
The patrol car key is an uncommon item in Arc Raiders.
What Does the Patrol Car Key Do?
The patrol car key is an uncommon item in Arc Raiders. Its main function is straightforward: it unlocks the rear door of a patrol car. In practice, this allows you to access whatever loot or supplies are stored inside the vehicle.
From experience, patrol cars often contain mid-tier loot or crafting materials. While not game-breaking, the key is a useful shortcut if you’re trying to clear a map efficiently or gather extra resources without scavenging every crate manually.
Where Can I Find the Patrol Car Key?
The patrol car key is specifically found in the Blue Gate map. Within this map, the patrol car is located on the northern side of the underground complex. Most players tend to overlook this area because it’s slightly off the main path, so knowing the exact location saves a lot of time.
In practical terms, once you enter the northern section, keep an eye out for locked patrol cars along corridors or near storage rooms. The key itself can usually be scavenged from nearby crates, containers, or sometimes from enemies who are patrolling the area.
How Do You Use the Patrol Car Key?
Using the key is simple. When you approach a locked patrol car, your inventory will show the key as a usable item. Activating it will unlock the rear door, allowing you to loot the interior.
A couple of tips from real gameplay:
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Make sure you clear nearby enemies before trying to loot the patrol car. In many cases, the northern section is patrolled by aggressive units, and carrying the key doesn’t protect you from combat.
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Only one player in the team needs to hold the key. If you’re running a squad, assign someone to carry it to avoid cluttering inventories.
How Common Is the Patrol Car Key?
It’s classified as uncommon, so you’ll usually find it reliably if you scavenge thoroughly in the northern side of the Blue Gate complex. Don’t expect it to spawn in every run, though; RNG can affect availability.
Because it’s not rare, many players will ignore the key during casual runs. However, if your goal is maximum efficiency, picking it up early can save multiple trips later, especially if you’re collecting resources to buy and sell Arc Raiders blueprints.
Why the Northern Side Matters
Most players gravitate toward central or southern areas of Blue Gate because mission objectives or main loot spawns are often located there. The northern side is quieter, which makes it ideal for players who want to grab optional resources with less interference.
Additionally, understanding the patrol car’s location relative to extraction points is important. Unlocking it near the northern corridor reduces travel time back to your extraction zone, which is practical in timed missions or when carrying heavy loot.
Common Player Mistakes
Even experienced players sometimes make mistakes with the patrol car key. Here are a few things to watch out for:
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Leaving the key behind: Some players rush past the northern section and miss the key entirely. Always check nearby crates or minor patrol routes.
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Carrying multiple keys unnecessarily: The patrol car key is stackable, but you only need one to unlock multiple cars. Don’t clutter your inventory.
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Ignoring enemy spawns: The northern side may seem quiet at first, but a few patrol units can quickly disrupt your looting run. Clearing them first is often more efficient.
Scavenging Tips
When scavenging for the patrol car key:
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Stick to areas where other players are less likely to go. The northern corridors tend to have fewer conflicts.
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Use cover and sound-dampening techniques to avoid drawing attention while looting.
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Prioritize the patrol car key before heavier loot so you can quickly unlock the car and move on.
In the long term, this approach pays off, especially if your goal is to gather resources to buy and sell Arc Raiders blueprints. Having the key early in a run maximizes the loot you can carry without multiple trips.
The patrol car key is a small but useful tool in Arc Raiders. Found in the northern side of Blue Gate, it unlocks patrol cars that often contain mid-tier loot. While not critical for every run, grabbing it can improve efficiency and give you an advantage if your goal is scavenging or collecting resources.
Keep in mind: location, timing, and inventory management are key when using it. By understanding how and where it works, you can make the most of your runs in Blue Gate.
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