Maintaining Your RC Cars

By Paul Rice

When you want to make sure that your RC car stays in good shape, and when you want to get the most use out of it, you'll find that good care can go a long way!

Whenever you change out the batteries, and before you use it, make sure that you give it a once over. Make sure that the tires are in good shape, and look over the screws to make sure that they are all tightened. Are all the wires connected, and are the battery connections good? Consider whether or not you will have to adjust the shocks for the terrain. Also make sure that the weight is distributed just the way that you want it to be and that the tires that you have chosen are good for the kind of movement you are planning on. A general purpose tire can be good for racing surfaces, but if you want to go off road or onto the pavement, you'll need something heavier. Make sure that you re-glue the tires right away if they get loose.

Are your motor and slipper gear properly aligned? If they are not, this can cause some nasty wear on your RC car. Check the alignment; the mesh should be neither too loose nor too tight. The gap between them can be measured with the width of a piece of paper, but remember to remove the paper before you put it back together. Are the motor and the slipper gear in tight? If not, consider using some LocTite on the screws before you tighten them down again.

Know your vehicle?s strengths and use it wisely. A race car will not work well off-road. A carpet car won?t do jumps very well. Obviously, the more you crash the car, the more wear and tear you will cause. If you jump your vehicle, take jumps straight on, not at an angle; and at a steady speed, not under acceleration.

Give your vehicle frequent breaks to allow electrical components to cool down. If you smell an electrical burning odor, you're putting too much stress on the motor and causing damage. Also, keep your vehicle as dry as possible. Moisture causes damage and corrosion to electrical parts. Discharge batteries completely before recharging them, unless otherwise directed by the manufacturer.

If your vehicle has a gas engine, follow the manufacturer?s recommendations for maintenance and storage. Usually, you?ll at least need to drain the fuel and clean and oil the filter before storage.

After you have run your car and before you put it away, use a damp cloth to remove and debris or dirt. Make sure that the batteries are taken out of the car and the controller. Make a note of any broken parts that you need to replace before you can use your car again, and make sure that you get the replacement parts that you are after, as using bad replacements can cause even more damage.

Remember that cars do have a limited lifespan, and that at some point, they will need to be replaced. Buy a good product at the outset and follow good common sense rules; if you do that, there is a good chance that your RC car will have a long and useful life. - 30406

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