Grand Theft Auto (GTA) V: Top 15 tips, tricks and cheats

GTA (V)

1. Use a Chopper

You need not use the roads when you can avail a chopper. While the airport is more secure than in the single player game, you can still get in if you go up the stairs to the Flight School and hop over the wall. Unlike in single player, airport security won’t jump on you, and you can take your time strolling to the helipad before heading over the Los Santos skyline. Other reliable places to grab a chopper include the roof of the Central Los Santos Medical Centre, the helipad near the canals at Vespucci Beach, and Trevor’s airstrip in Grand Senora Desert.

2. Base Jumping

When you are in a helicopter, you should head forward to the tallest building nearby or a under construction building beside the tower. Both have a parachute sitting on top of them, just waiting for you to use.

3. Trade Helicopter with a military jet

If helicopters seem slow, you can always trade it with a military jet. Fly in to the military base, in the north-west section of the map, and jump into one of the fighter planes. You have to enter by air, as ground access is closed off. Be careful as you are going to get a fairly hostile reception from the forces which reside there.

4. You can sell off cars to make quick cash

If you are in need of immediate cash, you can sell your stolen car at Los Santos Customs. Only cars up to a certain value are saleable. The Lampadati Felon and Gallivanter Baller are two of the higher ticket items and each will net you $9,000.

5. Insure your car

After you get a proper car, you should first insure it. If it gets lost, stolen, or destroyed you can call the insurance company and request an immediate replacement. The replacement car gets delivered straight to you, and it will continue to have insurance protection. But, you’ll need to pay a fee (which is 10 percent of the original insurance premium). Only cars fitted with a tracker are insurable. At first you’ll need to pay LS Customs for each tracker, but once you get your own property a tracker gets fitted automatically (at no cost) to any car you park there.

6. Lock your car to avoid theft

To avoid theft, do not forget to lock your car before leaving. From the interaction menu, you can choose who can open the doors to your vehicles.

7. Keep your cash at the bank

Make it a point not to carry more than $5,000 in cash around Los Santos, or else you could invite trouble, like, robbery killing, etc. Deposit your excess cash in the bank. Don’t bother with ATMs when depositing your cash; instead use your phone to deposit online via the “Money and Services” internet browser tab. Just be sure to stand somewhere quiet while you go online.

8. Buy a garage

Save money to buy a garage for your cars. Cars will get a free tracker fitted when you first pull in, making them your own. Add some insurance and they’re yours for life. A garage also gives you some place safe to escape the mayhem of Los Santos, even for a few minutes. No-one can enter unless you let them. You’ll hear people buzzing when they want to come in.

9. Sing in the shower

After a hard day of work relaxes yourself sing when you are in a shower. If your microphone is on then the game will hear your vocal efforts and reward you with reputation points, or RP (the GTA Online equivalent of experience points). You’ll need an apartment, or access to one, to try this out.

10. Play a solo game to level up safely

Start with a “Solo” session from the single player pause menu, under “Options”. You can explore, take on missions, and race with no-one to bother you. The races generally become time trials when played solo. They won’t earn you any money, but you will earn RP for each one you enter. This is also a great way to practice and build up your driving/flying/riding skills before taking on the world.

11. Race more often to earn cash and RP

Death matches are often exciting but they are mostly time consuming and uses up lots of ammo. Races on the other hand are always a better option of making some money and earning RP.

12. Pro tip

If someone in the lobby is consistently doing well, it’s worth placing a bet on them to win. Do this from the last menu before the race starts.

13. Use a turbo start

If you’re racing, you’ll need to get out of the blocks fast. In true Super Mario Kart style, GTA Online offers a turbo start if you depress the accelerator right at the word “Go!” Get 50 turbo starts and you’ll unlock some neat new colors at Los Santos Customs.

14. Do not forget to use “Action” commands

You can always assign an action to your character from the interaction menu. Activate it by clicking both analogue sticks in. Actions include dancing and flipping the bird which are essentially useless, but fun. If you stock up on energy bars from the convenience stores, however, and set your action to “Eat snack,” then each time you click the sticks you’ll recover some health.

15. Try and expand your mini-map

“Down” clicks twice on the D-pad will expand your on-screen mini-map. Perfect for getting a better view of where you’re heading, or of who’s after you.

For extra RP, join a crew

If you want more reputation points or RPs join a crew as soon as soon as possible. Being part of a crew gives you a 10% bonus for every mission. You can search for recommended crews via the start menu if you don’t have any online buddies to hook up with.

Go ahead and good luck for your journey in Grand Theft Auto (5)