When you are looking at making sure that your remote control car has a great lifetime of use and high performance ahead of it, you’ll find that good maintenance is key.

First, consider what you need to do before you let it run and before you change out the battery. Is there any damage on the tires or on the structure of the car? Are all the screws tightened? These are just the basics, but you’ll be surprised how much grief they spare you. All the wires should be connected, especially where they meet the batteries, and if you have adjustable shocks, make sure that they are set for the kind of terrain you want to run. Unless you have decided that you want some interesting weight distribution, make sure that the weight is evenly distributed, and get the right tires for your car. Remember that pavement or off-road racing needs heavier tires and if the tires get loose, take some time to make sure that they have been reglued well.

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.

Always make sure that you know what your car’s strengths are. A car that is meant to go off road won’t perform as well an on it and a carpet car won’t give you great jumps. If you crash your car too much, expect to see lots of damage and wear. Remember to take your jumps straight on and at a steady speed; doing otherwise is inviting disaster.

Never let your electrical components overheat. If you can smell burning electronics, this means that there is too much stress on the motor and that there is too much damage being done. Do not allow your RC car to get wet. Moisture will invite corrosion and damage the electrical parts. Before you recharge your batteries, make sure that they are completely discharged unless you have instructions otherwise.

If you have a gas engine, make sure that above all, you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for good maintenance. Chances are good that you are going to need to drain the fuel and clean the oil filter before you put your car into storage.

Before putting your car away after use, clean with a damp cloth to remove dirt or debris that can cause wear and damage. Remove the batteries from the vehicle and the controller when you put it away. You might accidentally forget to remove them if you don?t end up using the vehicle for an extended period. Replace broken parts before using the car again, since running with broken parts will cause more serious damage. Use the correct replacement part to avoid causing even more damage.

Cars do have an end to their use life, but if you get a good quality product from the beginning, it will cost you less in the long run. Always use your common sense and make sure that you follow the maintenance on your RC car.

Paul has authored many articles about remote control cars, including those on nitro gas rc cars. Visit his site for more topics on the subject.