Embrace the Noise and Power of Nitro!
Buying, running in and tuning your first Nitro RC Car may seem daunting task at first, but if you take things slowly, and step by step take time to familiarize yourself with the car, that initial learning curve soon flattens out. With a new Nitro RC car you must always run in the engine as recommended by the manufacturer. Doing this properly when you first get the car will ensure your engine has a long and productive life, offering the best power it can, and the maximum run times it can deliver. Once the 'run in' procedure is complete, make sure you learn about the engines recommended maintenance routine. Keeping the air filter clean and oiled, changing the fuel plugs regularly and when not running the engine for a long period, using after run oil to ensure no internal corrosion occurs.
What Nitro Fuel Percentage Is Right For You?
Nitro Engines require the right ratio of nitro fuel and air in order to run correctly which is expressed as a percentage. When buying nitro fuel, make sure that you purchase the right one for your nitro engine, rc car fuels have their own mixtures. Here at Make It Build It we offer RC Car Fuel at 16%, 20% and 25%. As a general guide, most smaller RTR Nitro Engines, especially fitted to 1/10th scale rc cars will run perfectly well with 16% nitro fuel, and larger engines on around 1/8th rc cars would require 20–25% nitro fuel. Race Buggies, Truggies and High Performance Monster Trucks can also use 25% Race fuel, optimised for higher Power and RPM Engines.
Always use the correct % of nitro fuel that your manufacturer recommends because if the ratio of Nitro if too high you will find it hard to maintain a good level of tune, burn out plugs much faster, and ultimately overheat and cause long term damage to your nitro engine. Every engine has a stock tune point from the factory, it's often with the needles set flat against the carburettor casing, but can vary by brand. If you get stuck during tuning, always return the carburettor to their stock setting, and start the process over. Remember its just subtle changes in tickover, and carburettor settings that affect the engine in use. The overall tune and throttle response of your engine is affected by many factors. The weather and Atmospherics, the Ambient Temperature and the type and grade of Nitro Fuel you use. If in doubt remember to always consult your engines manufacturer for the correct guidelines. Nitro fuel contains a specific mix of components including a lubricative oil. You should always see a little amount of smoke from the exhaust, this is the tell tale sign that the oil is burning, and shows the engine is being properly lubricated.
MIBI Top Tip: If the steering feels sluggish or the throttle does not return to idle normally, it’s the first sign of low or empty batteries in the receiver, make sure you immediately recharge or replace them. Also set a fail-safe position on the throttle, this is usually done with the Radio itself, so if signal is lost or the receiver battery becomes low, it will automatically return the throttle servo to a set position, close the throttle and stop the rc car.
Nitro Fuel 16%
For most smaller RTR RC Cars with Nitro Engines we highly recommend Optimix 16% Nitro Fuel. It's available in 1 Litre, and 2.5 Litre containers and is blended to offer the best balance between Power, Engine Cooling and Lubrication. Optimix helps your engine maintain a tune longer, and helps prolong its lifespan when used in conjunction with correct after run maintenance. Give your Nitro RC car the best Nitro Fuel you can, give it Optimix.
Nitro Fuel 20%
For more performance orientated RC Cars with Nitro Engines we highly recommend Optimix 20% Nitro Fuel. It's available in 1 Litre, and 2.5 Litre containers and is blended to offer the best balance between Power, Engine Cooling and Lubrication. Optimix helps your engine maintain a tune longer, and helps prolong its lifespan when used in conjunction with correct after run maintenance. Give your Nitro RC car the best Nitro Fuel you can.
Nitro Fuel 25%
For larger RC Cars with Nitro Engines we highly recommend Optimix 25% Nitro Fuel. The 25% Niromethane blend is for 0.21 to 0.32 engines use to give high power where economy is more important than the outright performance of more expensive race blend fuels. It's available in 1 Litre, and 2.5 Litre containers and is blended to offer the best balance between Power, Engine Cooling and Lubrication. Optimix helps your engine maintain a tune longer, and helps prolong its lifespan when used in conjunction with correct after run maintenance. Give your Nitro RC car the best Nitro Fuel you can.
Nitro Race Fuel 25%
Race Engines and Race Vehicles require Racing Car Fuel. Specially blended to give you the edge on track, Optimix 25% Nitro Race Fuel was originally developed by Graham Alsop as a Hot Bodies Team Driver and ensures your engine gives the best power and throttle response, while keeping it lubricated internally and helping to prevent overheating. It's available in Race Ready 2.5 Litre containers and helps prolong your engines lifespan when used in conjunction with correct after run maintenance. Give your Nitro RC Race Car the best Nitro Fuel you can, give it Optimix race fuel.
Optimix Fuel
With decades of experience behind them, and manufactured in UK, the current Optimix range was developed by Adam Skelding, HPI Design & Development Engineer and derived from the race winning Optimix Race Fuels originally developed by Graham Alsop as a Hot Bodies Team Driver.
The nitro fuel uses top quality Synthetic Klotz oils in its blend to offer Improved Lubrication, Lower Internal Friction, a built in Rust Inhibitor, more efficient Burning and Reduced Running Temperatures. In use the fuel offers a much wider Tuning Band is more tolerant to Needle and Mixture settings. In use the fuel offers Smoother transition from low to high power, Easy starting, Superior Fuel Economy. Optimix RTR burns cleanly, leaving no harmful residues that increase wear and decrease engine performance and lifespan.
NOTE: Optimix fuel can be shipped to United Kingdom Mainland & Highlands only, excluding the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Wight, and the Isles of Scilly. This also includes Northern Ireland, and remote areas of Scotland.
