You may feel like there’s so much you need to learn and you may not know a lot about. Well, no need to fuss. Here, you will understand how RC cars work, learn about fast fixes and race-saving solutions to the most common hang-ups and problems related to both electric and nitro RC. This guide will offer valuable, must-know advice for any RC situation, from diagnosing the problem and providing basic troubleshooting technique, you can never go wrong.

• Differential slipping – A well built and well-maintained diff is a must. Diff slips may damage the gears and this would need to be shimmed. A quick fix is to install a shim/washer to the crown wheel, which would provide the push needed onto the pinion so the gears mesh correctly.
• Dogbones come out – This could be caused by a bent dogbone or there must be some loose parts. The solution to this could be a replacement of the bent part, tightening the parts that have come out loose or inserting a small rubber (cut out pencil eraser will do the trick) at the end of each dogbone. The dogbone should have a snug fit so try to loosen it out slightly and retighten it to do some adjustments with the fitting.
• Steering servo not working – To test if the servo is faulty you can unplug both the steering servo and throttle servo from the receiver and try switching their plug positions and check if they have exchanged their functions. You must identify if the problem is from the servo or something in the steering assembly. First, make sure the steering is not too stiff. Try disconnecting the steering from the steering servo by removing the only screw that attaches the horn and check if you can move it by hand and see if it’s still tight.
• Wheels spinning in opposite direction – Don’t think it’s much of a problem since wheels really turn in different directions when you let them spin freely. It’s normal for most RC cars to have a differential that could make them go around corners.
• Tires falling off rims - Although the parts may fit together nicely, a bead of Cyanno glue helps keep the inserts inside and the tires on the rim. Gluing the tire to the rim will keep it from falling off.
• Shocks leaking – Shocks could leak often due to extreme pressure inside it caused by expansion of the air due to heat. If it leaks small amount of oil it is quite normal but if you think it’s leaking excessively then you might need to replace and rebuild the shocks.
• Battery not charging – For electric cars, if the battery won’t charge it is most likely defective and will need to be replaced.
• Engine does not work or is jerky - Batteries are often the obvious and simple cause of many RC problems. Not running at all, running very slowly, or even stopping suddenly can be battery-related. So check your batteries first and use a multimeter to measure the voltage of the car battery. Simply slip the mulitmeter probes on back of the plug while the engine is running (car off the ground) and check if it shows > 7 volts. There are also a few things to check like the steering servo plug, ESC plug, ESC to engine plugs, switch to receiver, ESC to motor plug and the two crystals on both the transmitter and receiver for 27Mhz frequencies. Please note that all three receiver plugs are plugged in with the black wire normally to the outside of the receiver.
• Smoking engine – Smoke may come out if your motor is running extremely hot. Try keeping your temperature under control and avoid too much resistance on the car. Dirt in the engine could be one factor, if so, just remove the bell housing and clean it out using an air compressor or some methylated substance.
• Controls reversed – You have to check the settings of your transmitter first. A quick fix would be switching the controls to normal and that should work.
• Radio control not working – There’s not much of a difference in troubleshooting nitro and electric vehicle when it comes to non-working radio controls. For both nitro and electric RC, make sure that the aerials are damage free, properly extended and screwed correctly. Check the batteries, too. You should ensure they are fully charged and that you have 8 cells installed in the transmitter and 4 in the car (for nitro) and 8 batteries in the transmitter and a large battery in the car (for electric). See to it that the transmitter aerial fits snugly but not too tight. Over tightened aerials could lead to loose aerial mounting screw in the transmitter. The crystals (27Mhz transmitters) and the receiver plugs must be fully secured. Also try unplugging all the receiver plugs and put them back in.
• Shaking servos – Low battery power is the common cause of this problem. Especially on 1/8 scale trucks with very powerful steering servo, it can cause the voltage to drop below 4.8 volts. Rechargeable batteries may help you best in this kind of situation.

An RC that stops running, is unresponsive or just won’t really work can be so frustrating. But more often than not, it’s caused by something very simple and knowing basic troubleshooting techniques could pretty much solve your case. So before you get discouraged why not try looking at the most common reasons and consider fixing these trouble areas first. Always check the obvious, like the batteries and switches. It would help if you can eliminate the simple problems first before attempting even complicated repairs and adjustments.

Nitro Remote Control is a big favourite because it provides good power, performance and speed. Some enthusiasts also say the noise and smoke from Nitro RC engines add realism to the hobby.

Nitro RC Helicopter :

RC Helicopters that have an engine running on Glow Fuel is called a Nitro RC Helicopter. These are high-performance helicopters that offer the lowest cost option among fuel-powered variants, that’s why they are still very popular until today even with the increasing appeal of Electric RC Helicopters. Nitro engines in helicopters are powerful for their size and can produce high RPMs—from 13,000 to 16000.

These helicopters come in different sizes. And the way the size of these Nitro RC helicopters is gauged is through the size of their engines. Therefore, a size 30 helicopter should mean it packs a .30 cubic inch Nitro engine.

Nitro RC Boats :

RC Boats running on Nitro Fuel is a great choice if you value performance over other considerations. It would help if you have prior experience in nitro engines in other vehicles so you avoid scenarios like having a stalled boat in the middle of a lake. Like any other vehicle using a Glow engine, Nitro Remote Control Boats require an owner that’s more hands-on because of the setup and maintenance required.

Important things to keep in mind:

• Check restrictions before running your Nitro Remote Control watercraft on a local park pond
• Be organized; bring your tools and spare parts so you can play all day
• Have a travel case so you can transport and keep your boat safe
• Always clean & lubricate your boat after use.

RC Nitro Cars, Trucks & Buggies :

RC Nitro vehicles have engines running on nitro fuel. These vehicles can be off-road or on-road. Trucks & Buggies in particular are ideal for off-road use because of their rugged build, higher ground clearance and the power they pack.  

Nitro Remote Control vehicles powered by Nitro are popular to hobbyists who want realism of a roaring machine and those who want to tinker on a variety of engine components. Anyone who intends to keep a Nitro RC vehicle in good shape should have the proper tools and know-how in maintaining the engine and its different parts.

Important Tips:

• Do regular maintenance
• Tune your engine for better performance
• Choose your racing obstacles carefully to avoid breakages

Nitro RC parts – What You Need to Have

Spare parts for your Nitro RC vehicles are an important part of the hobby. Nitro RC parts should always be within reach whenever you go out to play. This includes, but is not limited to, glow plug accessories, filters, exhausts and filters. 

RC Masters has a large inventory of Nitro RC parts for you to choose from.

Nitro Remote Control (RC)

Do you have a passion for extremely fast cars? 

Well, you might just be obsessed with nitro RC vehicles and must feel a bit stumped especially when you’re new to the nitro RC world. It’s not much of a fuss as long as you follow the necessary precautions and avoid the most common mistakes beginners make. Check out the following tips on starting a nitro powered engine.

• Avoid pulling the pull starter if the engine is flooded - Much like the pull start mechanism on a lawnmower, a pull cord is attached to the nitro engine and you will have to pull the T-handle attached to the starter cord assembly to spin the flywheel and start the engine. But when the cord becomes difficult to pull, don’t force it. This just means that the engine is flooded, and pulling it will just snap the line. If this happens, remove the glow plug and turn the car upside down then pull the starter twice to remove excess fuel. Remember not to pull the pull start cord out more than 20 cm as this may bend the spring and/or snap the cord.

• Never restrain the wheels – Always start the car with the wheels off the ground. Let the wheels spin freely and make sure the brake is off, otherwise it will result to overheating and will melt the nylon drive gears.

• Ensure the brake is off before starting the car – Try pushing the car forward and if it gives a bit of resistance, chances are the brake is on. Make certain you turn off the brakes before starting the car. Failure to do so might cause the clutch to overheat and will melt the nylon drive gears.

• Don’t replace the nylon gear with a metal gear – The nylon gear will provide a safety margin of 60 degrees since they melt at about 220 degrees Celsius while the aluminum clutch bell will break at 280 degrees. Metal on metal also wears out very quickly when not lubricated and lubricating gears often may wear it out even more as lubricants attract too much dust and dirt. The lighter the car, the quicker it is and metal gears are way heavier than nylon ones and it will most likely impede the car’s ability to accelerate.

You may be interested in getting a nitro RC vehicle and you certainly want to know how it works first and the basic setup involved in obtaining one. These following steps will help you prepare, start and break-in your nitro engine.

• Charge glow igniter – This is mainly the first thing you need to do once you open up your starter kit. Without it, you will not be able to even start the car. After charging your igniter you should make sure the glow plug igniter is not left on the glow plug too long else it will burn out.
• Install radio batteries – put 8 batteries into the transmitter and 4 into the receiver (nitro cars only) and make sure for rechargeable ones that they are fully charged before installing them. Once the batteries are in, first turn on the transmitter, then the receiver. If you ever turn on the receiver on the car first, it won't have a signal from the transmitter to follow, and may go out of control.
• Fill the tank - Pour some fuel into the starter kit's fuel bottle. Fill up the fuel tank with nitro, and make sure all fuel lines are connected to their ports. Make sure you are using proper high quality Hobby fuel with correct nitro percentage (20 – 30% nitro), unless stated otherwise in the manual. One thing you have to remember is not to bend the fuel lid right back. This will result to bent spring in the lid and will not pressurize the fuel tank.
• Install your air filter – Some models may already have the air filter readily installed. If not, just install yours onto the carburetor. It may come with a zip tie that you can use to secure it to the engine.
• Standing your antenna up - Antennas are important in RC car setup. You will have to insert the wire first through the antenna mount of the car, and then right through the tube and finally the tube goes into the tube mount. But in case of longer wire, let the line hang freely and don’t cut it.
• Turning on your transmitter first - Remember: transmitter always goes on first, and off last.
• Check for proper operation of servos – While engine is not running you can check if steering, throttle and brake servos are working correctly with the use of the transmitter and receiver. RC servos are used to provide actuation for various mechanical systems such as the steering of a car. Ensure that the wheels of your vehicle are off the ground so it can spin freely if you want to test how the servos are operating. When you apply the throttle, it opens up the carburetor and when the brakes are applied, the carb is closed almost all the way, and the brakes are then engaged.
• Checking the radio range - Make it a habit to always test your range before you drive your car and ensure you’re free from any radio interference particularly with the 27Mhz frequency that can be caused by power lines or 2-way radios that transmit on a similar frequency. To do a range check you can walk 5 meters away from the car with the models aerial fully extended and the transmitter aerial fully down. Turn on the radio system and check that all servos are working correctly. Do not attempt to drive your car if you notice any radio problems or interference and see to it that the batteries are strong and fully charged.
• Prime the engine with fuel - This is simple, just put your finger over the exhaust port and pull the cord a few times until you see the fuel go through the line and into the carburetor. Once the fuel reaches the carb, stop or you will flood the engine. Cold engines require more priming than hot engines.
• Starting a nitro engine – Don’t start your engine unless you have fully read and understood the directions. Assuming you’ve gone over everything and now that the engine is primed, it’s ready to run. Clip the igniter onto the glow plug and pull on the cord. Make sure you do short, quick pull.
• Keep the engine running – The first time you start it, chances are it won’t stay running and you may not be able to run it like you want to. You have to break it in and set the mixture correctly to make the engine last longer. You can try turning the throttle trim dial on the transmitter to keep the engine revved up. If the engine stalls, you may have to adjust the idle and slightly raise it.
• Proper engine break-in - Before you start to run the car as much as you want, it is very important (crucial, even) that you break in the engine. You may encounter stalling and inconsistent runs but these are all normal until you get to break in the engine and set the mixture. If you do it properly, it will help you achieve the highest possible performance and reliability.
• Break-in procedures - Basically all you do is run the car at low speeds for a few tanks of gas. Keep in mind that the wheels should be off the ground and the brake must be off. Simply idle 3 tanks of fuel, allowing the engine to cool down between tanks. Remember to always check your car for loose nuts and bolts. After the first run, go over your car and make sure all the screws are tight, especially the engine bolts. You can try using a Locktite (like a soft glue) to help keep the nuts and bolts in place, since they tend to come loose due to vibration. After the third tank, check the gap between the metal clutch gear and the nylon drive gear. There should just be a really small gap that could allow 2 pieces of thin paper between the 2 gears. If the gap is bigger than what’s necessary, you may adjust by undoing the screws and sliding the engine closer. For your succeeding tanks, you can gradually increase how hard you run the engine. Soon enough you can do it however you want.
• Break-in mixture settings – Most engines are pre-set with the default mixture settings from the factory. This should be good unless you would need to adjust the setting for different conditions. When you need to change the mixture settings, record the factory settings. Count and record the turns so you can wind them back to default.
• Running the first tanks in the car – You may have broken in your engine at this point and hopefully you did it correctly using this guide. Try a smooth surface first on your first run and check the steering trim to make sure it’s properly adjusted.
• Engine tuning - When it comes to RC vehicles, tuning is essential in order to achieve more speed or power. The overall performance of the engine greatly depends on how you tune the mixture. We have the rich and lean setting; both terms are used to describe the amount of fuel entering the carburetor. Lean means less fuel while rich means more. If you want to have a leaner setting, turn the carburetor needles clockwise, while counter-clockwise would help you achieve a richer setting. Make sure you’re not running too lean as this may damage your engine. Engine life should be operating around temperatures 104-115 degrees Celsius or 220-240 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Fine tuning – This would mean adjusting slowly the low-speed mixture and idle screw. Note that if the engine splutters, it is too rich and when it tries to cut out, it has a lean setting. You would have to listen to the way the engine revs from idle to determine your current setting.
• Installing the body clips - Putting on body clips on an RC car is easy. You just have to align the holes in the body with the body mounts. Then clip the pins on through the holes and you can pretty much adjust the height of the body by lowering the clips.
• How to stop the engine – You can stop the engine by either blocking the air using your fingers or squeezing the fuel line to the carb.
• After run maintenance - Make sure the fuel tank is empty. You can attempt to run the engine until all the extra fuel is burned up. Lastly, remove the glow plug and put a few drops of after run oil into the engine.

Now that you know most of the things that you need to learn when it comes to a nitro RC vehicle, you are all set. Remember to do the maintenance tip after every run. Love your model and it will let you have more fun in driving! Well, enjoy and it better make some smoke and noise.

Batteries for electric rc can come in alkaline or rechargeable type. Alkaline batteries have a common downside when it comes to power output. 

The various types of rechargeable batteries are:

• Nickel-cadmium (Nicd)
• Nickel-metal-hydride (Nimh)
• Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
• Lithium-polymer (Lipo)

  These options are essentially practical and economical. All you need is a charger and it saves you from buying new set of alkaline batteries when they wear out. If you’re eyeing for longer runtime, you may want a bigger Mah rating but this will generally cost more.

  A standard 7.2v RC electric car battery pack measures at 130mm x 45mm. The Mah indicates the capacity of the battery. So, the greater the Mah, the longer it will last. Majority of RC cars come with a battery that has 7.2 volts and a capacity of 1800 MaH or greater. The regular rechargeable battery pack typically provides approx 10 minutes of drive time at full speed between charges.

  Be careful in using batteries with seemingly higher voltage. Make sure to check first with the manufacturer if the motor and ESC can handle the extra power.

  Now, how do you opt for the best batteries? Here’s a detailed drill to find the best deal.

  Voltage and cell counts differ amongst the Lithium batteries and NiCd and NiMh. Unlike conventional NiCad or NiMH battery cells that have a voltage of 1.2 volts per cell, Lithium battery cells are rated at 3.7 volts per cell.

  Lithium batteries have been a hot ticket in the RC world since it was introduced. Lithium-ion and Lithium-polymer may be similar in voltage counts but distinct in other ways. Li-ion batteries have high energy-densities and cost less than Lipo cells. More so, they do not require priming when first used and have a low self-discharge. However, Li-ion batteries do suffer from aging even when not in use. The chemical construction of this battery limits it to a rectangular shape. It’s lighter than nickel-based secondary batteries (Ni-Cd and NiMH) and generally twice its capacity.

  Lipo batteries are very lightweight with its very thin designs but still holding relatively good battery life. This is the latest upgrade to battery technology. It also provides a very direct output however, these batteries will cost more to manufacture and have a not so good energy density than Li-ion batteries.

  When it comes to charging and discharging, each type exhibits a different action. Lithium batteries are fully charged when each cell has a voltage of 4.2 volts. They are discharged completely at 3.0 volts on each cell. It is vital that you do not exceed both the high and low voltage limits as this may damage the battery.

  Charging cells is the most risky part of using Lithium batteries. Since it is highly explosive due to the volatile electrolyte used in Lipo, they can easily catch fire. It is important to set your charger to the correct voltage or cell count to avoid any untoward incidents and make sure you don’t leave them unattended.

  Discharge rate is simply how fast the battery can be discharged safely. In the RC LiPo battery world it is called the “C” rating. A battery with a discharge rating of 1 C would mean you could safely discharge it in 1 hour and 2 C would discharge it in half an hour. All batteries holding capacities are rated in milli Amp hours (Mah) so any insight and knowledge about the concept of Watts, Volts and Amps will be greatly convenient.

  Battery technology is a very active field of study. We are constantly looking for a much improved cell that can store more energy and recharge faster. I believe there will be innovations of this sort soon but for now try to evaluate the pros and cons to help you assess the best battery that will work for your beloved RC vehicle.

There are various types of battery for electric RC. The rechargeable ones are nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion) and lithium-polymer (LiPO). Alkaline type of batteries is also ok since they last longer, but the downside would be the very low power output which can make the car move and respond slow. NiCd and NiMh are commonly used because they’re practical and economical. You just need a charger and won’t have to buy new set of alkaline batteries when they wear out.

A standard 7.2v RC electric car battery pack measures at 130mm x 45mm. The MaH indicates the capacity of the battery. The greater the MaH, the longer it will last and the greater the capacity, the more it costs. You need to determine what you like most. Battery runtime can be affected by factors like how it is driven and the surface it is driven on and pretty much the power the engine uses.

Most electric RC cars are designed to last for at least 5 minutes, as much as the international standard for electric car racing goes. Majority of RC cars come with a battery that has 7.2 volts and a capacity of 1800 MaH or greater.

When it comes to charging the battery, this may vary greatly depending on a lot of factors. Just make sure you don’t cause damage to your batteries by overcharging them. When the battery is dead flat you can use this equation to determine how long you would need your batteries plugged in otherwise, just charge them until they start getting warm (not hot).

Battery capacity (battery’s mAh rating) / charger output x 1.3 (for losses in charging around 30%) = Number of hours

In essence, if you have a 1000mah battery and a charger which outputs at 100mA you would need to charge it for 13 hours. (1000 / 100 =10 x 1.3)

If you’re looking to use a higher voltage, make sure you check with the manufacturer to see if the ESC and motor can handle a higher voltage.

Let’s take a closer look into the four different types of rechargeable batteries. Voltage and cell counts differ amongst the Lithium batteries and NiCd and NiMh. Unlike conventional NiCad or NiMH battery cells that have a voltage of 1.2 volts per cell, Lithium battery cells are rated at 3.7 volts per cell. When charging and discharging, each type exhibits a different action. Lithium batteries are fully charged when each cell has a voltage of 4.2 volts. They are discharged completely at 3.0 volts on each cell. It is vital that you do not exceed both the high and low voltage limits as this may damage the battery.

LiPo is the latest upgrade to battery technology; they give a very linear power output. When the voltage drops, there is a sudden drop in power and you will need to stop using the engine. Lithium batteries have taken the electric RC world by storm. They are mainly lightweight, have large capacities, and have high discharge rates to power the most demanding electric motors. But these benefits also have some drawbacks, especially with charging and discharging. Lithium cells must be charged differently from NiCd and Ni Mh. Charging cells is the most risky part of using Lithium batteries. Because of the volatile electrolyte used in LiPo’s, they can catch fire or explode. It is important to set your charger to the correct voltage or cell count to avoid danger. You have to exercise extreme caution and should follow safety measure. RC LiPo batteries require unique and proper care if you want them to last for long. Charging, discharging, and storage all affect the lifespan – get it wrong and it becomes garbage.

Never charge the batteries unattended. Use a safe surface to charge your batteries on that in the event of explosion, no damage will happen. You can use plant pots with soil in them, vented fire safes, LiPo Sacks, etc. If a cell swells, especially when you’re charging it, place it in a fire safe place and do not try to deflate or puncture it.

Discharge rate is simply how fast the battery can be discharged safely. In the RC LiPo battery world it is called the “C” rating. A battery with a discharge rating of 1 C would mean you could safely discharge it in 1 hour and 2 C would discharge it in half an hour. All batteries holding capacities are rated in milli Amp hours (mAh) so it is quite useful if you understand the concept of Watts, Volts and Amps.

Taking a temperature reading of your packs after running them is another good way to gauge if you're using a high enough c rating, in this case a handheld Infrared Temperature Gauge might come in handy. For optimum battery life, try to keep your cells from reaching 70 degrees Celsius after use and keep it away from cold, especially during winter. For battery connectors, the white plug (Tamiya plug) and the red (Deans) plug are used more often. Now, here’s a simple advice you may want to try, cut the Tamiya plug off and solder the Deans plug on and that should set it.

RC battery chargers are one of the single most important items you need to purchase when getting into the electric-powered RC world. There are tons of chargers available in the market, however to simplify everything here’s the 3 most popular type there is:

• Slow Charger – cheaper and normally outputs around 150 mAh and takes longer hours to charge. It doesn’t auto turn off even when the battery’s fully charged.
• Fast Charger – outputs up to 5 amps and takes lesser time to charge. Example, a 2000 mAh battery will take about 30 minutes to charge. It also automatically shuts off when the cells are fully charged.
• Field Charger – are more convenient since you can charge anytime wherever you are. You simply have to clip the alligator clamps to any 12 volt battery to charge.

For Lithium batteries, you may need a totally different kind of charger. There may be new chargers that already support Lithium cells, but you still have to emphasize and indicate that you’re using Lithium batteries. So keep an eye out for which battery would work best for you. Weigh and consider their benefits and disadvantages to help you with your choice.

RC sport can be intimidating for a beginner. It’s a challenge to know where and how to start with so many new terms, options and parts. Well, here’s an instruction on some of the basic things you need to know before you go backyard bashing or racing:

1.Charge your battery – Charging time varies with the type of charger you may be using.

Most cars come with a battery and when it comes to charging, they may vary greatly depending on a lot of factors. Just make sure you don’t cause damage to your batteries by overcharging them. When the battery is dead flat you can use this equation to determine how long you would need your batteries plugged in, otherwise just charge them until they start getting warm.

Battery capacity (battery’s mAh rating) / charger output x 1.3 (for losses in charging around 30%) = Number of hours

In essence, if you have a 1000mah battery and a charger which outputs at 100mA you would need to charge it for 13 hours. (1000 / 100 =10 x 1.3)

1.Install 8 x AA batteries in the transmitter - Transmitters are used mostly with NiMh or NiCad batteries and you need to have 8 x AA batteries installed and remember to charge them completely before installation. Keep in mind that the transmitter should be always switched on first and turned off last.

1.Standing Your Antenna Up – Antennas are important in RC car setup. You will have to insert the wire first through the antenna mount of the car, and then right through the tube and finally the tube goes into the tube mount. But in case of longer wire, let the line hang freely and don’t cut it.

1.Check for Proper Operation of Servos – RC servos are used to provide actuation for various mechanical systems such as the steering of a car. Ensure that the wheels of your vehicle are off the ground so it can spin freely if you want to test how the servos are operating. Then, check if your steering, throttle and forward or reverse are working properly. When the servo is commanded to rotate or to perform a certain action, the motor is powered until it reaches the value corresponding to the commanded position. These are usually free to move both up/down and left/right, like the joysticks on a play station controller.

1.Range Check – Todays radios mostly run on a 2.4Ghz frequency which limits interference but with 27Mhz radios make it a habit to always test your range before you drive your car and ensure you’re free from any radio interference that can be caused by power lines, police or other 2-way radio models that transmit on a similar frequency. To do a range check you can walk 5 meters away from the car with the models aerial fully extended and the transmitter aerial fully down. Turn on the radio system and check that all servos are working correctly. Check all the linkages to make sure they are not binding. Always make sure the batteries in both your car and your radio are strong or fully charged. Attempting to run your car with weak batteries will make it unresponsive to controls and commands.

1.Break-in Procedures – When it comes to RC vehicles, tuning is essential in order to achieve more speed or power. Moreover, it should come along side with proper break in to yield the best performance. To break-in, just run the motor with the wheels off the ground and try to run 3 battery packs allowing the engine to completely cool down between each battery. Remember to always check your car for loose nuts and bolts. After the first run, go over your car and make sure all the screws are tight, especially the engine bolts. You can try using a Loctite to help keep the nuts and bolts in place, since they may tend to come loose due to vibration. After the third battery, check the gap between the brass engine pinion and the nylon drive gear. There should just be a really small gap that could allow 2 pieces of thin paper between the 2 gears. If the gap is bigger than what’s necessary, you may adjust it by undoing the screws and sliding the engine closer. Breaking-in your engine properly will help produce less heat and reduce premature wear and tear.

1.Installing the Body Clips – Putting on body clips on an RC car is easy. You just have to align the holes in the body with the body mounts. Then clip the pins on through the holes and you can pretty much adjust the height of the body by lowering the clips.

Well done! Now, you’re ready to run your car. I know you can’t wait to drive your vehicle, and seems like you’re all set to go but just remember to have fun and drive safely by noting all the necessary precautions. You’ll be far more competitive and in turn, have more fun if your car is set right and in the perfect condition. After all, you don’t want to end up damaging your vehicle by overlooking the must-know details.

Each car has unique features and different RC cars are built for different surfaces. If you own a licensed-design sports car with low clearance, you'll want to focus on smooth, solid surface.

On road models have racing tires and are built for high speeds for on road racing. Their tires are smooth, and they are usually faster than the off-road types. They are only good for flat surfaces, though, such as smooth roads or race tracks. While off-road models like a buggy or a truck are essentially built for rough surfaces and could endure coarse and bumpy tracks.

You just bought a new RC car and chances are you have already taken it out for a test run or two. Before you go ahead and show it off to your friends, make sure you don’t commit the most common mistake beginners usually do. So, always see to it that you habitually check the nuts and bolts for tightness before you start driving your vehicle.

Prep your car before running by following these steps:

• Charge your battery; make sure you’ll have fun driving by not overlooking the obvious. Your main battery must be fully charged to give you a satisfying runtime. And you should put in 8 x AA cells in your transmitters.
• Mount the antenna on your car - this is important in RC car setup.
• Check if your servos are operating properly. This will provide better steering and will confirm how responsive your vehicle is to each command. However, always remember to test it with the wheels off the ground.
• Make it a habit to test your range and check for any radio interference before driving.
• Breaking-in your engine properly will help produce less heat and reduce premature wear and tear. Ensure you follow the right procedure.
• The last thing to do is to hold the exterior part of the car together by installing body clips. These clips can be easily pinned on through the holes to secure it.

  Whether it’s a street, buggy or truck RC model that you like, the best electric RC car would still depend on your taste. But you may also want to consider factors such as cost, level of expertise, and time available for learning and maintenance to make sure after all the cash you spent you can always keep the hobby fresh.

Read on to find out...

Petrol Remote Control Cars

Petrol Remote Control Cars are model cars powered by miniature petrol-fed engines. These Remote Controlled Cars that run on petrol typically require more tinkering and fine-tuning to get the best performance and are not as easy to set up as electric models. There’s also a bit of a learning curve you have to get through. But once you’ve gotten past through that, these cars using remote control easily provide great fun and satisfaction with their superb performance.

Advantages of these RC Cars:
• High power and speed
• Fast and easy refuelling
• Runs smooth for a longer period of time

Nitro Remote Control Cars

Nitro RC Cars, like models running on petrol, also carry a miniature engine. But this time, these RC's use Nitro Fuel or Glow Fuel. Generally, it is a mixture of methanol, nitromethane and oil. This type of RC Car is popular because it combines power, performance, speed and durability in one machine. Like petrol-powered vehicles, there’s also a bit of learning curve when you’re new to this.

Cars on Glow Fuel have these Advantages:
• Runs longer because of fast refuelling
• Options for high powered engines
• The noise and smoke from these cars add realism

Electric Remote Control Cars

Electric RC Cars are great for beginners because they are easier to use and maintain. Instead of using miniature fuel engines to power them, they use batteries. Newer high-capacity batteries on brushless motors can produce vehicles that can match some Nitro-powered RC cars in speed and performance.

Advantages of RC Cars running on battery packs:
• Easy to use and maintain
• Can be used indoors
• Runs quietly compared to fuel-based RC Cars

Remote Control Cars for Kids

Remote Control Cars are great for kids as they are fun and educational. Instead of staying indoors, kids now have a reason to have fun outdoors while getting exposed to the science part of the cars—how the mechanical parts work together, how these cars are controlled wirelessly and so on. There are many shops and online stores in Australia that sell Remote Control Cars for kids. These Remote Controlled Cars come in different models, colors and sizes. It is easy to choose which ones are right for our kids since manufacturers of RC Cars have already put information in the packaging indicating recommended age limits and warning labels that indicate if the cars have tiny parts that could potentially cause choking or other dangers for kids.

RC Cars make a great gift for kids. Why?

• It encourages them to go outdoors to play their Remote Controlled Cars
• It is safe to operate
• It is educational; Kids learn about gears and other mechanical parts, batteries and a lot more
• It offers a chance for parent and child to play together if the parent is also a RC hobbyist

Remote Control Cars for Adults

Think your husband or your dad is too old for toys? Wrong. Remote Control Cars are for adults too. In fact, a lot of adults are serious RC Car hobbyists.

There are many different types of remote control cars that will delight grownups. RC Cars, especially Nitro and Petrol variants, require a lot of tuning up and customization which will challenge and excite husband or dad. Many adult RC hobbyists admit that playing with Remote Control Cars is also a stress buster.

An RC Car will definitely make a great gift for adults on a special occasion. It’s fun, challenging and has a relatively long lifespan thus creating countless hours of fun that any adult will surely love.

Remote control cars for sale

RC Masters offers a wide selection of Remote Control Cars for novice and serious hobbyists. We also service, sell batteries,chargers and spare parts for your much-loved machines.

Remote Control (RC) Cars

• Will you be using the car on road or off road?
• Will you be operating two or more cars on a 27Mhz frequency at once?
• How far do you want your car to go?
• Do you want it electric or nitro?
• Length of time per tank or battery charge?
• What size/scale are you eyeing for?

There are a lot of things you need to consider but the inherent competitive aspect of racing will most likely get down played. So, to aid you in decision-making let’s get into the details and here’s to answer the queries that have been bugging you.

• First off, if you’re looking to use your car off road, you will need an off road model like a buggy or a truck. They are essentially built for rough surfaces unlike road cars which can only be used on smooth areas like asphalt or concrete. On road models have racing tires and are built for high speeds for on road racing. Their tires are smooth, and they are usually faster than the off-road types. They are only good for flat surfaces, though, such as smooth roads or race tracks.
• 2.4 Ghz is the general frequency for todays RC vehicles which is less prone to interference but when operating two or more cars at once on a 27Mhz frequency, you will need to use different frequency crystals in each car. Ten or more can be maneuvered at the same time by using crystals on different frequencies. This is easily done since these crystals are interchangeable. To switch and replace, you will have to unplug the transmitter crystal from the transmitter (hand-held controller) and the receiver crystal from the receiver in the car.
• The fun of driving an RC car can be increased by extending the range that the vehicle can be controlled from. Most cars can go approximately 100 to 200 meters on average. However, the only way to know the range of your car is to do a range test while the engine’s off.
• Making the right choice between an electric and a nitro vehicle can provide many years of excitement in the RC hobby. By far the biggest difference between an electric and a nitro RC are what make them go. The electric RC is powered by a motor that requires electricity (in the form of a battery pack) as the fuel, which makes it easier to use. All you need is charge the battery and you’re ready to go. The nitro RC uses an engine fueled by a methanol-based fuel and it is generally faster and also more expensive than electric ones.
• Both nitro and electric cars last depending on how hard it is driven or the kind of surface it is used on. Nitro cars generally go for longer per tank than electric ones which will last for approximately 5-10 minutes with an 1800mah battery. You can also try batteries with larger capacities that won’t easily run out.
• Radio controlled vehicles are modeled after full-size cars. The scale of the RC is its size as compared to the real, full-size version. The scale might be 1/24 (the smallest), 1/5 (the biggest), and sizes in between 1/10 and 1/8 (the most popular).

You may already have the picture of the one you like in your head but is it the best car to start off RC car driving with? There are loads to choose from but what’s the best car to go for? Before you buy, remember the questions you asked yourself earlier. You may also want to consider factors such as cost, level of expertise, and time available for learning and maintenance to make sure you don't get in over your head