How to Install Addon Cars on a FiveM Server

Addon Cars: Must‑Have FiveM Server Upgrade

Introduction
If you’re running a FiveM server, one of the quickest ways to keep players engaged is to expand your vehicle roster. Addon Cars brings a fresher, more diverse driving experience—luxury supercars, rugged off‑road machines, and exotic imports can now be unleashed on the streets. The installation process is surprisingly straightforward once you know the workflow. Below, we’ll walk you through everything from picking a reliable mod to getting your new rides on the road, all while keeping your server organized and running smoothly.

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Why Addon Cars Are a Game Changer

Adding new vehicles isn’t just about variety; it fuels community events, role‑play scenarios, and the competitive spirit that keeps a server alive. Players who discover unique cars feel a stronger sense of ownership and interest, which translates into longer sessions and higher retention. Moreover, well‑designed addon cars can complement specific server themes (e.g., a GTA violence‑free server might favor lightweight, fast cars over heavy trucks). Hence, investing a bit of time in sourcing and integrating addon cars pays dividends in player satisfaction.

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Step 1: Find and Download a Trusted Addon Car Mod

The key to a seamless upgrade is starting with quality. The FiveM modding scene offers a wealth of options, but you’ll want to focus on assets that are up‑to‑date, well‑documented, and proven to work with the latest FiveM releases.

> Tip: Search for the specific vehicle you want, then read the mod description for compatibility notes and update logs.

Once you download the ZIP or RAR archive, extract the contents to a temporary folder on your local machine. You should see a subfolder organized by vehicle, sometimes including both meta files and asset files like textures or models.

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Step 2: Organize Your Server Directory – Create a Dedicated Folder

A tidy server folder structure saves time and reduces accidental deletions. Create a subfolder under your server’s root that will house all the new models. Naming it something like `addon_cars` or `custom_vehicles` keeps the purpose clear.

How to create:
1. Open your server’s root folder (where `server.cfg` lives).
2. Right‑click → New → Folder.
3. Label the folder clearly (e.g., `addon_cars`).

You’ll place every newly acquired vehicle here, ensuring that all related files stay together.

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Step 3: Move the Mod Files Into the New Folder

With the directory set, it’s a matter of moving the extracted files into their destination.

“`
C:TenMserverappaddon_cars
“`

Transfer steps:

1. Open the folder containing the extracted vehicle files.
2. Select all files (`Ctrl + A`) → copy (`Ctrl + C`).
3. Navigate to `addon_cars` → paste (`Ctrl + V`).

Double‑check that you haven’t left anything behind. The core files you’ll need are:

– `vehicles.meta`
– `carvariations.meta`
– Optional: `stream` directory with `.ytd` textures, `.yds` sound packs, or `.dat` model files

If the mod also includes sidecar vehicles, or even non‑car modes like planes or boats, copy those subfolders too.

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Step 4: Update the Server’s `resources.cfg` File

FiveM loads resources from the `resources.cfg` file. Adding the `addon_cars` folder to this list ensures that your new models are ready when the server starts.

1. Open `resources.cfg` with a code editor (VS Code or Notepad++ recommended).
2. Move to the end of the file and append:

“`
start addon_cars
“`

> Replace `addon_cars` with the precise name of the folder you created.

3. Save the file.

> Note: Some mods come with dependencies (e.g., `stream_player` or `vehicle_loader`). If the mod’s README references additional files, add those to `resources.cfg` before the `start addon_cars` line.

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Step 5: Restart Your FiveM Server

The last step is to apply the changes by restarting the server. Use your console or SSH access:

– If you’re on the local console: type `restart`
– If you’re managing through Docker or a service manager: stop and start the container/service

Watch the log output. You should see:

“`
[started] addon_cars
“`

Once the log shows the resource initialization, players can spawn the new vehicles.

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Troubleshooting Checklist

> Backup first! Clone your server directory before making any changes so that you can roll back without losing progress.

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Scaling Up: Multiple Addon Cars

Repeating these steps for each new vehicle is unavoidable if you want fine control over individual mods. However, if you’re adding a dozen cars at once, consider grouping them into a single parent folder (e.g., `premium_cars`). The `resources.cfg` entry would then be a single line for the consolidated folder. Keep in mind that onboarding many resources at once may increase load time at server start.

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Conclusion
Adding Addon Cars to your FiveM server is a powerful upgrade technique that blends simplicity with high impact. By carefully selecting reputable mods, structuring the server folders, updating the `resources.cfg`, and restarting, you unlock a richer driving experience for your community. Continue to monitor updates in the modding community, keep your assets up‑to‑date, and remember to maintain clear documentation for yourself and any collaborators. With these steps, your server will stay fresh, engaging, and ready for whatever adventures your players may dream.

Happy driving, and may your streets never run out of fresh wheels!