Technical Sutff About RC Cars

Everyone who gets into the hobby of RC cars needs some clarifications regarding the details and terminologies used by old expert while describing their experiences. One usually searches for the queries on the message boards, discussion forums, websites, manufacturer's product details booklets, catalogues, etc. All these material and resources use terms that may sound new to someone in the hobby. It helps to know the jargons used in the trade to understand the tricks and tips better.

RC Scale Sizes are used to define the dimension of the cars or the size of the car. A 1/10th scale rc car means that it is one-tenth the size of the real car. A 1/8th scale RC car means that it is one-eight the size of the real car. Remote control cars come in many sizes such as 1/24, 1/18, 1/12, 1/10, 1/8 and 1/5. The 1/24th scale is small, the 1/5th scale is large. Some of the popular brands come in specific sizes. Kyosho Mini Z and Tamiya Tamtech come as 1/24 scale. HPI Micro RS4 comes as 1/18 scale. Associated 12i and HPI Mini RS4 come as 1/12 scale. RC cars viz. Associated Nitro TC3 and RC10GT, HPI Dash and Nitro RS4, OFNA OB4, Traxxas Nitro T-Maxx and Nitro 4-Tec all fall in the scale of 1/10. Models like HPI Nitro Savage 21, OFNA Titan and Ultra MBX, Tamiya Terra Crusher fall in the scale of 1/8.

The most popular models in Gas Powered Remote Control Cars today are the 1/10th scale nitro powered RC touring cars, and the 1/8th scale nitro remote control monster trucks, 1/10 Associated Nitro TC3 Touring Car 1/8 HPI Savage 21 Nitro Monster Truck. These are powered by 2-stroke gas engines that use special fuel (nitro, methanol, castor oil). Out of the box, gas powered remote control cars are faster that electric RC cars. Amongst the Electric Powered Remote Control Cars, the most popular ones today are the 1/10th scale electric touring cars.

To make it easy for beginners to get into the hobby, manufacturers have produced kits that are Ready to Run (RTR) Radio Control cars. Most of these kits come as assembled and completed with radio, batteries, and charger. If you are a beginner, it is highly recommend you buy ready to run RC kits.

Other term used for the RC cars is the 2WD and 4WD. This pertains to the two wheel drive and four wheel drives respectively. In case of 2WD usually rear wheels are active where as in case of four wheel drive all the four wheels are attached to the engine and derive the power. Thus they give better edge around the corners and better maneuvering.