Tips for Keeping Your Nitro Powered RC Car Running Like New


Defined Tag: RC Nitro Cars.

Radio controlled cars and trucks can provide a great deal of fun and excitement, but they are not without their maintenance needs. These 1/8 and 1/10 scale vehicles need to be maintained just like their larger counterparts in the driveway, and it is important to carefully follow the maintenance schedule recommended by the RC car or truck manufacturer.

Some of the components of the radio controlled car or truck that will need your attention from time to time include:

• The clutch

• The differential

• The header

• The air filter

• The drive train mechanism

• The pull cord

For those who are newcomers to the radio controlled vehicle hobby, it is important to know that a two wheel drive vehicle will generally be easier to work with than a four wheel drive vehicle. Just as with full size cars, the four wheel drive mechanism requires special maintenance, and it can be a complicated piece of equipment.

Maintenance needs and kit cars

While ready to run (RTR) cars are a lot easier to deal with for the beginner, nothing prepares the new radio controlled car enthusiast for his or her upcoming maintenance challenges quite as well as building an RC car from scratch.  As you build the car you will become familiar with all those parts that will eventually need your attention.  Buying an inexpensive kit and putting it together yourself is a great way to learn about the challenges and opportunities of maintaining and upgrading your own RC car or truck.

If you do decide to take a crack at building your own radio controlled car from the ground up, it is important to be prepared, and to gather the tools you are likely to need before you begin.  While the instructions included with the kit should detail the tools you will need, some of the basic materials you will need include needle nose pliers, traditional pliers, small flat head and Phillips head screwdrivers, and a hobby knife with a number 11 blade.

It is also important to find a clean and uncluttered place to work.  It may take some time to build the radio controlled car or truck, so it is important to choose an area you will not be needing for awhile.  In addition, it is important to find a place to keep all the various parts, as well as your tools.  If you have an old sewing kit or tackle box, it will work great for this purpose.