Before Using a Nitro RC Car:

Before using any nitro model it is important that you check the following:

•   Receiver Battery
•   Range check (Stand a distance away from the model and make sure it is responding to the radio control correctly. Ideally do this with someone else so you can stand as far away as you want to use the model.
•   Radio Battery
•   Glow Plug is tight and glow start is fully charged
•   Ensure engine flywheel is tight and tighten if needed (IMPORTANT OR THE FLYWHEEL WILL WEAR AWAY)
•   Loctite/tighten any loose nuts, screws or bolts. i.e.: set screws, engine mount screws, wheel nuts, etc
•   Clutch-bell and Spur Gear mesh (IMPORTANT OR YOU WILL STRIP YOUR GEARS)
•   Pull start engine screws
•   Nylon ties for exhaust
•   Clean & Re-Oil or replace Foam Air Filter element
•   Ensure all servo & throttle linkage is straight at 90 degrees & in proper alignment when the radio equipment is turned on. Adjust if needed.
•   Ensure fuel system is free of obstruction, line pinches, dirt & leaks
•  Clean entire car after every tank - watch for sand, rocks, mud, debris or anything that will hinder proper operation and maintenance.
• The above maintenance should be observed ideally after every run.
• The main adjustment screw would have been pre-set at the factory and we would have double checked it to make sure it is correct for running the engine in. In 99% of cases this screw will not need touching until after you have run the engine in if you wish to fine tune it. If you do loose the starting position of the screw or want to check it then the top of the screw should be just 1 - 2 mm below the top of the screw casing.

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Nitro Engine Run in:

Proper nitro engine run-in is critical for long-lasting performance of your RC Car. Every new nitro engine should undergo a run-in procedure. Running-in a nitro engine takes anywhere from one to two hours and about 3-5 tanks of nitro fuel. If you do the nitro engine run-in properly, the up-keep on your RC Car is less costly than if the procedure is done hastily and incorrectly. Please be patient.

For your nitro engine run-in, choose a clean, flat, paved or smooth surface. You'll be doing the initial run-in with the body off so you don't want to be kicking up dirt or doing flips during break-in. During the first couple of tanks of fuel focus on varying and limiting your speed. Don't run your engine past half-throttle. Don't run at a constant speed.
During run-in deposits build up and can foul out the glow plug so your engine might seem like its stalling or not running properly. This is normal. Proper run-in alleviates these symptoms. Do have an extra glow plug or two handy in case you need them.
 
Operate Safely:

Here are simple safety checks you need to do before starting:

1.    Turn on the Controller First
Turn your transmitter/controller on first followed by the receiver on the RC. When finished running your RC, turn the receiver off first, then the controller. This sequence will keep your nitro RC from running amok if someone nearby is running on the same frequency. Do yourself a favour though and check frequency before running your RC.
2.    Put the Engine in Neutral
Move the throttle forward and reverse to ensure your nitro engine is in neutral and is in the idle position when the throttle is released.
3.    Check Your Steering
Move the steering controls from side to side. If steering seems sluggish or hesitant, replace the receiver's batteries before proceeding.
 
Prime Your Nitro Engine:

Start up your RC. Watch to see if fuel is moving through the lines. If fuel doesn't reach the carburettor after 3-5 seconds place and release your finger over the tip of the exhaust for a couple of seconds to help the engine start. This is known as priming the engine. Be careful when doing so because if too much fuel goes into the engine when priming, it will flood causing the engine to lock up.

If the engine does flood use your glow plug wrench to remove the glow plug. Place a rag over the engine head. If equipped, use your electric starter. Start the engine to get the remaining fuel out and wipe off the head with a dry towel to remove any remaining fuel. Reinstall the glow plug and start on the first tank of the break-in process. Your nitro engine shouldn’t be primed for more than 1-2 seconds at a time to avoid flooding.
 
Do Five Tanks Nitro Engine run-in:

With each tank of fuel you'll increase the amount and duration of throttle. Use these tank-by-tank guidelines for your nitro engine run-in.
 
Tank 1
Give the engine one-quarter throttle slowly for 2 seconds. Apply the brakes. If you pull back on the throttle too fast you may cause your engine to stall.
When there is a nice trail of blue smoke coming from the exhaust it means your fuel mixture is properly set and the engine is being lubricated. If no smoke is present, richen the fuel mixture by giving the air/fuel mixture needle a quarter turn until smoke is present.
Continue running the first tank of fuel, repeatedly giving it one-quarter throttle then braking until it is almost empty. Do not run the tank dry because this will result in a burned out glow plug from the fuel mixture being too lean and can also lead to damage from high engine temperatures.
Shut off the engine by pinching the fuel line to the carburettor and let it cool down for about 10-15 minutes before you start on your next tank of fuel.
 
Tank 2
Advance to half-throttle for 2-3 seconds for the second tank of fuel. Remember to accelerate smoothly through the entire run-in process. Do this repeatedly as long as you have fuel. When the second tank is done repeat the shut-off and cool-down steps as you did in the first tank of fuel.
 
Tank 3
on the third tank of fuel you will run for a 3-second count at half-throttle then brake. By this time the engine begins to loosen up and the idle may need to be adjusted down. You will know an idle adjustment is necessary when your nitro RC Car won't sit still when idling. Use your tuning screwdriver to turn down the idle by turning the idle adjustment counter clockwise to reduce the idle speed. From this point forward you don't have to let your engine cool down between tanks.

Tank 4
For the fourth tank give your nitro RC full throttle for a count of 3 seconds and then brake. If your nitro RC is equipped with a multi-speed transmission and tries to shift into another gear let off the throttle and then brake. When doing a 3 second count on tank 4 remember to accelerate smoothly to avoid doing wheelies or flipping the RC over.
 
Tank 5
for this final tank of fuel you will repeatedly accelerate to full throttle in 3 seconds and hold for 2 seconds then brake. After this tank is done you will have completed the run-in process.
 
Maintain Your Nitro Engine after Run-in:

After run-in and after each session with your Nitro RC Car you'll need to perform after-run maintenance.

For a nitro engine this includes:

•     Drain the fuel tank
•     Clean and oil the air filter
•     Add after-burn oil

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Understanding Nitro Fuel:

Get This Wrong & Its Like Filling Your Unleaded Family Car With Diesel!
 
First up, you must be aware that Nitro fuel is toxic and flammable. Wear gloves to avoid skin exposure and safety goggles to stop it going in your eyes, especially when taking glow plugs out of engines.

Nitro fuel is not petrol or diesel. It is most like pre-mixed 2 stroke motorbike fuel, in that it is a mix of fuel and lubricant, but there is no substitute. You must not use petrol!

Nitro fuel comes in different grades, from 10 upwards. The number refers to the percentage of fuel to lubricant, so a 15 Nitro Fuel will have less fuel than a 25, but more lubrication. So a 25 will have more power and speed than a 16, at the expense of lubricant protection.

So which should you use? Your Radio Control cars instructions will tell you what to use, normally 16 for smaller engines and 25 for larger ones. To use a more powerful fuel than is recommended will make your car faster at the expense of engine life and reliability.

Is it worth it? Depends how much cash you've got for spare engines. Also, if you start using a different fuel, it’s normally recommended that you stick with that mix.

Remember that the most important performance / power / speed difference you'll make to the engine off your car or truck is how the engine itself is run-in, tuned and maintained. A well tuned car running 16 fuel will outperform a poorly tuned one running 25, so follow the running in instructions for your RC car carefully, and maintain it like it deserves.

Nitro Fuel will "go off" after it is opened - water contamination is the most common cause, so use a metal container, keep the lid on, and don't put fuel back in after it’s been in your filler bottle, use it for another run!

Since Nitro fuel is a mix of fuel and lubricant, how rich or lean you run your engine will affect its performance.

After the running in period, where you will be running very rich (which means lots of fuel. less air) you tune the carburettor, increasing the amount of air in the fuel-air mix, increasing power. As the power increases the engine runs faster and hotter, so we must be careful that we don't run too lean, because there won't be enough lubricant to oil and cool the engine, which will lead to over-heating, increased wear and reduced engine life. Performance will also drop off as the fuel mix becomes too lean.

The lesson here is be careful with Nitro Fuel, use protective gloves & glasses, use the recommended grade for your RC Car, run it in properly, and don't run it too lean.

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Nitro RC Car FAQ's

Q. What else do I need to run the model?
A. All our models come with the radio control and servos included and installed. All you will need to run is some model glow fuel and a standard glow start.

Q. How long does the fuel last?
A. A tank of fuel will last about 10 - 15 minutes. A 2.27 litre bottle of fuel should be enough to fill the tank about 30 times. The good thing about nitro models though is you do not need to wait for the battery to charge, you can just fill them up and keep on going.

Q. Why did my con rod break?
A. The only way that a con rod can break is either the engine is revved with no load or there is not enough fuel in the engine so there is not enough lubrication which causes the piston to jam. You should be careful not to rev the engine if the wheels are off the ground, if the flywheel is loose or if the model does a jump. Con rods are not covered by the warranty but available as a spare part.

Q. Why do my wheels turn when I pull the pull start?

A. If you are unable to pull the pull start without the wheels turning it means your clutch shoes have probably melted. This happens when the car has been incorrectly adjusted so that the brake is slightly on when the throttle is in the neutral position. They can also melt if the wheels or truck is held still while the engine is revving or if the idle speed is too high. If this happens you will simply need to purchase a new clutch shoe and replace the melted one.

Q. Why did my gears strip?
A. Stripping a spur gear (a flat spot on the plastic gear that turns the drive train of the car) is not caused by the spur gear or pinion gear. A stripped spur gear is caused by the pinion gear not having the correct mesh with the spur gear.

Q. How can I get correct gear mesh?
A. The easiest way to learn that you have the correct gear mesh is to use a piece of paper and fit it between the spur gear and pinion gear as you tighten the motor mount screws. After the motor is completely tightened, the piece of paper should be impossible to remove except by turning the spur gear to rotate the paper out of place. With the paper gone, turn the spur gear with a finger and feel the amount of movement or "play" there is between the spur gear and pinion gear. There should be very little play, but you should feel a little bit. This is the correct gear mesh. With practice, you will no longer strip any spur gears.
Make sure the motor mount screws are very tight; a big crash could move the motor towards or away from the spur gear, making the spur gear strip out.

Q. Why did my flywheel wear away?
A. If the bolt holding the flywheel on is not tight and you continue to use the car it will start to wear the flywheel away. You should check that the flywheel is tight before each run.

Q. My 2 speed is not shifting?
A. Unless something is not adjusted properly or broken, the 2 speed should shift into second when the engine reaches a certain speed. If it does not shift, use a 2mm Allen wrench to adjust the shift point set screws counter clockwise. Turn the set screw 1/4 turn at a time and make a test run to see if the car shifts into second. If it does not, turn the set screw 1/4 turn more and try again. Make sure not to touch the centre set screw! If you look on the two speed gearbox you will see a small 5mm hole on the smaller gear. If you rotate this hole it will give access to the two shift screws. There is one on each side of the gear.

Q. Do you need a licence to use a Nitro RC Car?
A. No you do not. Just use common sense and do not use them where they may disturb or injure people if they loose control.

Q. What ages are nitro radio controlled cars recommended for?
A. To do everything 14+ is best. A younger child would be able to drive them but may struggle with the setup and maintenance. Nitro RC cars can be a great educational toy and introduction to engineering.

Q. What kind of range does it have?
A. About 100m but you should always do a range check before use.

Q. How do I stop the engine?
A. Cover the exhaust hole and it will turn off a second later.

Q. What fuel do I use?
A. You need to use model glow fuel. We sell this under accessories and it is also sold in model shops and some Halfords stores. You can use any good branded fuel with a nitro content of 10 - 30%. For normal use 10 - 16% is best and then you can use a higher percentage for races. The higher percentage fuel will increase the speed but it is more expensive.