| Electric remote control cars use high capacity | | | | and synthetic oil. Nitro engines, like full-sized gas |
| compact batteries to drive brushed or brushless | | | | engines, take time to spool up and for the clutch to |
| motors via an electronic speed control. They run on | | | | engage. Nitro remote control cars are completely air |
| small but powerful electric motors and rechargeable | | | | cooled, and may be run continuously without any |
| nickel metal hydride, nickel-cadmium, or lithium | | | | breaks for cooling down. In addition, they may be |
| polymer cells. Electric batteries take a while to | | | | refueled and returned to action in a few seconds, |
| charge, but quick chargers can help save time. | | | | unlike electric models that need to have the body |
| High-performance motors must be allowed to cool | | | | shell and battery fasteners removed to replace a |
| down after use, in order to avoid demagnetizing the | | | | discharged battery. |
| permanent magnets. Electric cars tend to be lighter | | | | Gasoline-powered vehicles run on premixed oil and |
| than nitro models because they have fewer | | | | gasoline. These types of remote control cars are also |
| components in the drive system. They also have | | | | called fuelies. They cost more than electric and nitro |
| more consistent torque and faster throttle response | | | | cars, and are much bigger, thus needing more space. |
| than nitro vehicles. | | | | Gas cars don't usually have high top end speeds |
| Fuel-powered cars, also referred to as nitro cars, use | | | | compared to the other models, but have plenty of |
| glow plug engines. These are small internal combustion | | | | power and don't need a lot of fuel to run. Gas |
| engines fueled by a special mix of nitromethane, | | | | powered motors rarely require tuning and have a |
| methanol, and oil that is usually a blend of castor oil | | | | very long lifespan. |