Terrain carts are not indestructible. Crashing into obstacles during overland trips wears down your vehicle, making regular maintenance essential if you drive over rough ground or through mob-filled areas at night.
Collision Damage and Hitting Mobs
Every cart tracks its structural condition on the on-screen display while you are driving. Collisions affect both your vehicle and nearby creatures in two distinct ways:
- Obstacle Crashes: Driving into blocks or terrain hazards causes collision damage, accompanied by visible impact particles and sounds. Repeated crashes will steadily deplete the vehicle health meter on your screen.
- Mob Impacts: Driving directly into either hostile or passive mobs deals impact damage to them. While useful for clearing enemies blocking a road, steer carefully around livestock, villagers, and pets near your base so you do not injure them accidentally.
Repairing a Damaged Cart with Iron Ingots
When your on-screen health display drops after a crash or rough journey, you can restore the vehicle in the field without crafting a replacement.
1. Bring the cart to a safe stop and check your vehicle health readout.
2. Hold standard iron ingots in your hand.
3. Use the iron ingots directly on the damaged cart to restore its missing health.
Before setting out on long overland expeditions, pack extra iron ingots alongside your coal fuel so you can patch up crash damage immediately on the road.