The advantages of a nitro engine are worth it for a die-hard RC car fan, so the satisfaction of their performance is well worth the increased maintenance that they require

If you opt for a nitro engine, here are a few helpful tips to maximize your car's performance.

Break your motor in gradually and gently: Your car's differential is crammed with tiny, intricate parts that can be difficult to replace if damaged, so carefully breaking in your engine can make a big difference. To break your engine in properly, run the engine at ¼ power a few inches off the ground for a few moments, then conduct some slow figure-8s. This process sets the differential's gears, which allows you to utilize the engine's full operational capabilities without damaging it.

Prepare the clutch properly for maximum acceleration: If any terrain residue accumulates on your vehicle's clutch and/or clutch bell, the grimy glaze will eventually cause your car's acceleration rate to decrease significantly. A simple way to prevent this is to gently scuff the clutch shoes and bell with sandpaper; using a quality motor-spray will remove the glaze and prevent any clutch slippage.

Keep your header in the correct position: An RC vehicle's header is attached to the body with a delicate spring that can come unhinged when your vehicle either hits an obstruction or is hit by one. In order to avoid the scrambling of trying to hastily reposition the header, you can secure the header more firmly by overlapping the spring with a piece of safety wire. Be sure to twist the wire a few times around the spring area and to snip off any trailing excess.

Minimize Pull-Start Cord Wear: Through continual use, a pull-start cord can eventually suffer considerable fraying and even break completely. To prolong your cord's life, apply duct tape to the edges of the cord hole opening. Secure the tape with care, being sure to avoid obstructing the opening in any way.

Brace your air filter: Keep your air filter secured by twisting a small section of safety wire (as mentioned above) around the filter to brace it firmly in place. After twisting it in place, snip any excess wiring.

Consult your operational manual in ALL areas: Although you may not be inclined to read carefully through every aspect of instruction in your owner's manual, the manual is an essential tool in providing you with all specifications for your vehicle, as well as troubleshooting any technical issues that you may later experience. If you find that your manual does not cover a specific problem that you are having, consider finding a local hobby shop to inquire about it.

A nitro car is supreme in mimicking the excitement and intensity of a high powered drag race, which can be both exciting and appealing. As you mull over the possibility of owning a nitro engine RC car, keep in mind that nitro engines require far more care and maintenance than their electric counterparts. In addition to the overall complexity, nitro cars are generally more expensive; you need to evaluate what your budget will permit and how capable you would be of maintaining your vehicle on a regular basis.

If you are craving the power and speed of a nitro vehicle yet are reluctant to build your own completely from scratch, you can purchase a pre-built car that will be ready to run immediately. In this case you will eliminate the hassle of building your own car, but will still be responsible for the tuning and general maintenance.

Nitro cars are alluring due to their sense of realism; powering a tiny car at speeds of up to 60 Mph on a full tank of gas is an incredible experience. Although nitro cars are generally not recommended for those unfamiliar with RC cars or standard auto engines, they are by far the most popular type of RC vehicle to buy.