Electric or Nitro - We Help You Decide - Get Into RC | RC Driver 

[Nitro car tips I wish I knew before owning my first nitro car] (1.) Especially on a new car, unscrew the glow plug from the car and test to see if it glows a bright orange. My car wouldn't start and I had no idea that the one the came with the car was hardly heating up. They don't cost too much so it doesn't hurt to check and have a spare. (2.) Prime the fuel through the tubes so some of it is reaching the engine, thus letting it start. (3.) Make sure the idle setting on the remote is not preventing the car from starting or is set too high, it will eigther struggle to start if at all or take off on you after it starts. Usually, a 1mm gap is enough. the car should hardly creep forward by default. (4.) Look up what percentage fuel mixture is recommended for your engine and only use a nitro RC car fuel (5.) Refer to the default tuning in the car's manual to find a starting point for tuning the engine for your location (6.) If the car is not starting, the pulling gets tougher, and fuel is spitting out the exhaust, you likely flooded the engine. Not a big deal, just stop and unscrew the glow plug, tip the car on its side, cover the hole with a paper towel, and pull the cord a few times to clear excess fuel from the car and you can try again perhaps with a leaner adjustment (less fuel more air). (7.) Keep an eye on the batteries in the remote so you don't lose connection mid drive due to loss of battery life. Rechargeable batteries are nice to have so you don't have to keep buying tons of AA batteries (8.) Spraying Windex on the cars wire antennae can help with feeding it into the small plastic tube that sticks into the car. (9.) Be patient and break the car in properly on a tank or two of fuel to help lubricate the engine and break in the moving parts. It will help with the longevity of the car.

Nitro all the way, love getting my hands dirty working on it, fine-tuning the engine, hearing that exhaust roar. It's just more rewarding than electrics to me (which are absolutely fine, especially because they are so easy to get into and bring new people to the hobby).

Personally I've always been an electric fan, way less maintenance on the motor and I love the crazy torque and top speed runs the electric cars pull.

Get both!!! (drops the mic)

BOTH!!!! Nitro is dirty and fun when it works....😉. Electric is powerful and easy but lacks the sound, smoke and feel of a real machine. I run both. 👍🏽👍🏼

I have had a bunch of R/C vehicles going back to the 1980's. I've always preferred nitro, but electric was much easier for most of that time. Still is, but nitro has come so far in that time that it's essentially a wash. Nitro is much louder, which is a consideration. Also, if you want to race, nitro can only be run outdoors while electrics can be used indoor and out. Many tracks have indoor off-road (carpet or dirt) courses as well so electrics get to take advantage of both while nitro is restricted to outdoors. My favorite thing about nitro (other than the sound and smell) is that you can run them as long as you have fuel. Electrics just don't run long on batteries and unless you buy a pile of those, your time is limited. Batteries also degrade over time requiring replacing. Nitro is just more up front. Up front costs are higher (although again, batteries add up for electrics) and there is more 'stuff' required. Break in and tuning are front loaded efforts. But once you do those things, it's pretty much fire and forget. I think for the total beginner electric is more accessible but if you are bitten by the R/C bug, you will end up eyeballing nitro sooner rather than later.

My first nitro was a Savage X 4.6, got it a few months after I got my first hobby-grade RC which was a Sprint 2. (I had a lot of allowance money saved up lol). I have never been so happy with an RC before. I had the help of my neighbor starting it and going through break-in, but after that it has been very easy to maintain and a complete blast to drive, especially as a young kid at the time! If anyone is considering nitro for the first time, or for their kids I would say go for it, worth every penny.

My first two vehicles, which I still have, are nitro. I've been out of this for 13 years and am waiting for my electric Xray T4. I went nitro to start because I always had cheapo electric rcs and wanted something different with a heart and soul. I'm in the process of getting my Savage and Nitro RS4 2 back in prime running condition. If you grew up with tablets and would enjoy life as an avatar then electric is for you. If you enjoy putting things together and understanding your cars then nitro is 100% more satisfying.

I’m a local mechanic here and honestly, truly unbiased, I would go for the electric myself. There simple and most people that are actually using rcs are just getting into the hobby( lets be honest here.) for me, their much more reliable. Now I’ve had multiple nitros and gassers and to this day I still prefer electric. They tend to be fast enough, and their cheaper to operate( again, most people are just getting into the hobby.) most people who don’t work on engines will get tired of having them give out because they aren’t doing proper maintenance. Overall, I’m a mechanic and I get no better feeling driving a nitro or gas than I do an electric. Maybe it’s because I’m used to working big diesels and nitro engines aren’t loud whatsoever. There my take, from a mechanics standpoint.

I like the tinkering that comes with nitro and gasoline cars

I grew up in the 90's when nitro was in its prime, I'll always love nitro. I am actually getting into all the old tamiya kits that I never got a chance to play with when I was a kid too, motors my childhood friends paid $300 for are now $40 lol. And then there's brushless.

With modern electric motors, I have no desire to go back to nitro. Used to love my Ofna 9.5 buggy, but it just collects dust now.

I recently got my first taste of nitro yesterday. A friend had an old nitro car sitting in the back of his garage, and we got it down and managed to fire it up, but the old AM radio was not working whatsoever. But it was SOOOOOOO rewarding to hear it fire up for the first time. Leaving his driveway with fuel and dirt on my hands was the best thing. But the best part is we live way out in the sticks, so noise isn’t any problem!

Lots of interesting comments here. I do both nitro and electric. Yes you need to be a more involved with a nitro vehicle but to me that's part of the fun. Each has there fun factor and it's up to the individual to decide what is fun for them. Have a blast and keep on RCing!

Love nitro. Ya it’s slower then brushless but I don’t care. Brap brap braaaaap

My first rc was an ofna hyper 7 and i switch to electric, like 10 years ago. Nitro - Sound Electric - everything else

I have been running Tamiya electric kits my whole life and they have been lots of fun, even though they aren't the fastest or best in the business. Recently got my first nitro RC (Bullet 3.0) and it has given me a new outlook on the hobby. Re Igniting that childhood joy of taking a RC out on an open field and just going crazy. In my opinion to start off Electric is probably a better choice, but if you have the patience to tune, run and maintain a nitro its worth every drop of fuel! Also great video!

You forgot to mention air filters and oil for the air filters plus if you're not running or ready to run you need a starter box and a battery for that Also eventually drive shafts we're out and their opinions and brake pads. nitro is a lot more expensive to run and maintain.

I love the mechanical aspect of nitro cars. Driving a nitro car, getting used to it and then fitting a tiny turbo charger to it and watching it go is so much fun.

For the newer RC fans: watch out for short-course trucks because if you drive on anything loose or wet, it will end up in the shell because of the tire position.

I did nitro for more than ten years but now I have switched to electric and just find it more fun for me. So many times I would get my cars setup do test runs at home and then when I got to were I was going to run them then they gave me problems running and my time was spent just getting them to work. Now I don’t have any problems with the electric trucks and have more fun. Great video and I think what ever way people go rc’s are great fun.

I've ran nitro for years switch to brushless and just didn't like it was missing all the fun factor sold it all now back to nitro kits

Both nitro and electric have their place, I love them both, started with nitro and took the time to learn how to tune and troubleshoot problems. Most folks get a nitro, try it and think oh this is so hard, it's really not if you learn what you're doing. I just love to see people hate on nitro, these are clearly the people that just refuse to learn so they just hate.

I have both Nitro and electric and love both. they both have there positives and negitives. but with nitro after run procedures are a must to make the engine last. Pop that glow plug out and run wd40 threw the motor to get extra fuel out clean the engine so the dirt doesnt cause a heat issue over time as it builds up. CHARGE YOU IGNITER. Love the Vids man!!!

If anybody reads this you can put on board audio (OBA) in a electric to make it have an engine sound, you can turn it on or off, high volume or low volume.

Unless you're out in the desert, noise is always a concern. The town council never gets together to close an electric track, it's always gas or nitro and it's always because of the noise and smoke. Electric is the way, quiet, actually faster and much much more reliable IMHO.

Both amazing I like nitro cause I don’t have to stop and charge but generally electrics are faster

I have used 6L of fuel and finally had a problem blew a center bearing and chewed up the center gears changed them and she’s good to go again

I have mostly Electric RC, but I do have a T-Maxx. It's fun, but as a basher, Electric is just more fun for me. I don't like the slow response and isn't very good at tricks. Plus waiting for reverse is kinda meh. I really wish I had a Nitro buggy, instead, cause a Nitro on a track just make so much more sense to me. Definetly going to get one for my local track. But from a basher perspective, Tekno MT410, please. Nothing compares for a bash.

I don't care if people shout at me out the windows at 7AM, I just love nitro.

Honestly I had no experience with these cars and I’m 13 and I went strait for a nitro and honestly I’m glad I got one the electric my brother got just breaks all the time

Thank you I have an electric car right now and I’m looking at getting into nitro, this video was very helpful! Thank you very much

My nitro Slash is very high maintenance. It's not the engine, it's everything but. I burned out the clutch, wore down gears in the transmission, and now there's a throttle problem. Other than that, it's fun. You don't have to worry about having to recharge batteries (except for the starter of course). Just refill the tank, and start it back up.

Love the smell of nitro rc cars running

Great job on explaining the difference, I'm not so sure about the top dead center being of importance, but yep, that about sums it up.

I have my 1/8 nitro just because is fun to have one but sometimes is a headache, I use more my scx10.2 for scale realism. My nitro sits in my shelf most of the time.

Both are a hassle, buy 1/4 scale gasoline powered :-)

Electric is easyer to deal with and probably faster but maybe cost more if you want good stuff.

in my neighborhood is like 50% forest so... i can get the loudest nitro car

My first car was a nitro buggy, and the price of fuel and the noise ended up driving me towards electric. A $40 lipo pack will give you way more runtime than a $40 gallon of fuel. Also, if you ever want to get into racing, there's about 5 electric classes for every nitro class at most tracks, so keep that in mind.

Straight to the point and very helpful bro. Thanks for the video.

I bought a T-maxx classic as my first RC. It's got Traxxas EZ start on it. Electric starter and glow plug igniter all in one pack. Comes with the radio and is really easy to tune. Next one I buy is going to be a Tekno RC SCT410 short course truck. I am going to go electric for sound and smell basically. If I want to run my nitro truck I have to take it somewhere. With electric it's no worries.

I started with a Traxxas rustler xl5 and urpraded the mortor with a castle mamba x and I now work with nitro and electric both a ton of fun

Well that changed my mind lol I was going with nitro because they be flying!! But electric ones do too..and then I have to pay gas for another car🙄🙄 idk tho

All my nitros have ended in tears

Honestly, just get both when you can. Both experiences have their pros and cons: Electric: easy to use, shit ton of torque, long run times Nitro: more rewarding when you get it running right (great if you love tinkering), the sound and smell

Started the hobby with a traxxas hawk 2, then an rc10gt. All 8th nitro after that. Bought an electric short course and had a bunch if issues with novak and castle. Bought another nitro. Cant run it anywhere.... Converted all my 8th scale to brushless. No looking back.

I had a Kyosho Raider 2WD when I was 12 or 13 (almost 30 years algo), and I enjoyed it a lot even although It wasn't fast at all. Then I got an Inferno DX (basic versión of the first generation of a famous Kyosho car), which is still in a box in a storage room in my parent's hause. It was a beast as compared to the electric car, but I think I wasn't able to use more than 2 litres of fuel in years. Every time I wanted to ride it, something broke and there wasn't any hobby store in less than 60km (you know that online stores didn't exist in 90's). So, at the end I parked the car and I forgot this hobby. Some months ago, in my 40 birthday, I wanted to ressurect my hobby, but starting from RC model airplanes. I got an electric plane, and I was surprised of how powerful the electric motors are. Now I am seeing that electric RC cars are also 10 times faster (and batteries have 10 times more capacity) than my old Raider. I think that one of the birthday gifts for my son will be a 1:10 RC car... 😆

I started about 50 years ago on Cox gas powered ’airplanes. Ive had gas,,nitro & electric. Purchased my first electric. An Arrma Big Rock 3S BLX about 2 years ago.Great little rig.

10 years ago when i first bought a Nitro Revo. it was the best way to go. Faster than Electric, more runtime and pretty reliable. Now though, people are getting 40 mins out of an x-maxx that will destroy a nitro Revo. I still went with Nitro because I like working on it.. but as a beginner, i would go with electric. you will have more fun and get more interested in the hobby.

The way I like to sum it up when I sell to customers is: If you like to drive, go electric. If you like to tinker and like the sound, go nitro. Both have their pros and cons, it will depend on the type of person you are.

I’m fairly new to this hobby I started off with electric and like a week or two after I got a nitro and I gotta say nitro is very very fun I’m still getting used to tuning it but it’s makes the experience so much fun yeah electric is fun too but nothing beats nitro imo the sound, smell, and tinkering and plus you get more run time which was one of my main reasons for getting a nitro but nitros comes with a lot of responsibilities too

BUILD YOU'RE OWN !!!! i just build my firts RC (nitro) and loved building it

i bougth the losi 8ight rtr nitro just like the one in the video, looove the smell( better that gas) and the sound(super loud, but i have a really nice neighbor)and the smoke , btu is a big step up from electric.

I drive both and I love both. The torque and speed of modern electrics is without equal, but there's something about a fuel burning engine that an electric motor just can't match. The sound, the smoke, the smell, it's all part of it, but on those occasions where I just want to nip outside and have a quick bash round my garden or in the avenue where I live, it's electric all the way. Clean, quiet and easy as pie.

You suggested some good tips I want to mess with my car but there's a lot of things I don't understand so thank you you're a great help I'm on my way to go buy my car right now

Nitro is one long headache. Electric is fast, clean, quiet, reliable, and FUN. (fun being the reason we got into it in the first place!)

I love nitro. My first car was a Kyosho Alpha 3, it still starts on the 3rd-4th pull of the chord. With nitro, fuel should be stored in a cool and dry area AND NOT STORED ON CONCRETE FLOORS as the concrete will cause the fuel to absorb moisture.

I find out You can actually run a Nitro rc pretty clean. Using a Exhaust Deflector on a side exhaust helps. Also make sure the front engine bearing doesn’t leak as bad. By having the engine tuned properly. If it you run it to rich more fuel goes through. And causes it to be flooded with more fuel. Causing a puddle of fuel. Under the front engine

If ur a beginner start with an electric kit once ur used to the basics then step up to nitro. Plus with nitro make sure youve got a place to run it where the noise isnt going to be a problem

I have both, I started with nitro hpi MT2 then moved on to the savage but I found out I had to travel some distance to find a secluded area where the noise didn’t bother anyone. I then got an electric short course truck and haven’t touched my nitro since. I sold the savage kept the mt2 because i still like the fact I could use it as a back up. But electric has so many benefits over nitro with the Lipos delivering so much grunt these days.

I decided to get both. I remember we had the Nitro Cox dune buggy, no radio, just start it set the wheels and watch it run around the yard bashing into everything until it flipped and stalled out or ran out of fuel. Yes, a nitro does require more abilities than electric but I also think nitro helps a younger person prepair for the future, when he will have to learn how to maintain his own real vehicle someday. How many future mechanics cut their teeth on a Cox nitro buggy, or nitro street racer? Plenty. From there, they got into the briggs and strattion 5 horse engine, then the real thing. All stepping stones in real life, and it all probably started out with a little screaming, smoking nitro engine, dad got them for a birthday.

No longer freaking out in the beginning! Thank you!!! XD

I was hoping you'd show the inside of the cars and explain the different parts. Like nitro and electric both use a servo for steering. Electric uses an electric motor, and a esc to control the power. On nitro, need to explain if its a straight shaft drove straight to the drive shaft or is there a transmission. That's what we want to know.

I got the niro buggy but only problem is that the pull string get stuck some times

Hey brother I was curious would it be super hard as a beginner to learn how to tune a nitro engine?I just got a traxxas Stampede which is electric and I fricken love it!

I'm just getting into this nitro car hobby, I got a few older cars and all the motors are out and taken apart. I want to clean the motors and oil them, what oil do I use and do I need to add oil to the crank case?

Nitro for sure but I’ve been into RC for about 20 years now my first was a team associated RC 10 Electric stadium truck but nitro is just the best way to truly experience RC and if you need help you guys have enough videos on you tube for guidance

I have a 2.5 tmaxx A fully upgraded stampede 2wd And a Arrma Kraton v2 The tmaxx was cool in 04, but brushless just stomps nitro into the ground. Minimal maintenance and instant torque even at 60+ mph

I don't do Electric or Nitro... I do Gas powered. (Baja 5t)

Been in electric for about 8 years. Just got my first nitro. Pain to get broke in but after that it’s crazy fun

Nitro for me is just way more entertaining, i am a mechanic and its just cool, i also work with electricity and for that I have my rc plane. But nitro is easy, started mine up in 2 seconds after 12 years in the garage

Thinking about getting a Revo 3.3 for my 1st nitro any tips ? But I don’t know if I’ll like how slow off the line nitro is compared to my Bandit VXL, I’m still thinking.

one thing I have to add what was funny was ive seen people break suspensions and keep going but that's a bad idea cause it will put more stress on other parts

I‘ve got myself a RTR mini Nitro RC so what exactly do i need a igniter and a battery charger??

Electric, is like watching porn with the sound turned down.

Electric - Fast,Clean,Simpler to maintain,Quiter.

Im all about speed and wiring !!!

Sadly, I cant offord either

I started out with a traxxas slash 2wd. Had that, bashed it, broke it, fixed it, yadda yadda yadda. Then i got my first nitro after messing with my slash for 3 years, a traxxas Tmaxx 2.5. After running that monster, its definatly really fun i love tuning a fixing things and i do find myself fixing it more that driving it and its the complete opposite with electric. I love both and cant choose one over the other, but do suggest you start out with an electric for yer first car -my collection now: E maxx brushless, Tmaxx 2.5, 2wd slash (modded), and a 2.5 rustler

Nitro rc cars are for the mechanics and electric rc cars are for the casual people

I’d say just go with what you want, my first rc car was revo 3.3 and I’ve never even touched a hobby grade rc before, everything’s on RU-vid if you have any problems, nitro is so much fun, I didn’t know anything about electric when I made the switch, I ended up making my revo 3.3 electric w a mamba monster 2200kv system and I’d say I learned everything about nitro and electric w the same car 😂

Hello, I don’t know much about Nitro rc cars but I’ve been wanting one lately and plan to buy the Nitro Rustler from Traxxas shop. Would you guys recommend it? And if yes, would I have to upgrade any parts ? Because I wouldn’t know how to do that or wear to get the parts? Are they expensive :( I just want a nitro over a electric ones because I love the sounds that come out of a nitro and the smokes really cool. I just don’t know how to maintain a nitro because I never had one and have no experience with it

I have all electrics but would love to get a try at tuning a nitro. I have only tuned lawnmowers and dirt bikes before. Anyone have tips on a cheap nitro option. Thanks

All about the sound !!!🥳🥳🥳

NITRO!!!! The smell is awesome!!!!

I racer team associated buggy rc8b3.1 and truggy rc8t3 both nitro at Phoenix, AZ fear farm raceway🙂

I have both. A vxl rustler and a 3.3 jato. There both awesome my neighbors hate me because of the jato but it's so worth it

nitro car forever

Great videos. Am just a beginner of the Am still looking for the right rc car.

I prefer electric because I don’t care about sound I just care about performance and Electric cars are easer to to use it’s just my opinion tho

Bro where you are buying the nitro powered car ,I mean which web site

Could you do a tutorial how to manage a proper power upgrade on rc...i'm kind of new into this..i've seen many of my friends upgrade ridicilously and end up bursting it...both electric and nitro...thank you

Well, for the nitro fanatics, don't you know that your nitro car is also partly assisted by electric (that receiver of yours)? And that glow starter too. :)

nitro is more rewarding for sure. but ive owned alot more electrics for sure. i find myself constantly broke down with my nitro for some reason lol. i have about 5 different trucks.

I know I'm late to this video but 20 years ago I used to hang out at a local hobby shop. I could not tell you the number of people who came in with a nitro vehicle complaining it wasn't running right and all you had to do was look at the high speed needle, and it would literally only be turned out maybe one full turn. This was my problem with nitro way too many people keep tuning and keep tuning and keep turning in trying to get more and more power that doesn't exist from your stock engine nowadays with brushless electric systems even most factory systems with the right battery have plenty of power Now having said that there is some thing to having a well tuned, good quality nitro engine and hearing that thing scream at 40,000 RPMs it can be magical but getting to that point takes a lot of learning self discipline and money just my opinions

Nitro is easy as long as you understand how to tune but one you tune it it stays that way may have to adjust high speed needle for season change but its simple

I just like the simplicity and torque of an electric

Hey can u guys help me cos I now got a nitro rustler but I don’t know if I should get a electric slash 4x4 i like to go to skate parks and bash around but after ten minutes it is smashed to pieces so should I swap for electric orrrrrr keep the rustler

Started with Nitro, but you'll eventually get tired of all the electric brushless passing you, making a mess, buying plugs, burning your plug, gas, luging around a starter box, or pulling your arm out if it's a pull-start, making sure your hotplug has a battery to start your nitro, making sure you have the knowledge to tune your car in cold and warm days, make sure you pick and buy the right fuel, and taking the fuel out when you're done. With electric, just put the batteries in and you're ready to go, and go a lot faster than Nitro, keeping it nice and clean aside from dirt. you get more precise telemetry (always know what your car is doing) You can also use it around the neighborhood without your neighbors complaining about the noise! I had a blast with Nitro, but I don't like to be fidgeting around with it when all I want to do is race or bash with my friends, Example: you get to the race park and you all take your cars out, you have a gas car and your friends electric, they put their batteries in and start racing. it happens to be kind of cool that day so there you are trying to start your car for a few minutes while it warms up and get the right tune for it. At this point, your friends are on their 12th lap and you? you're still at the table messing with your car, making sure it's tuned for that morning cold. You spent 15min getting your car ready while your friends are about to put in their next battery after the 25, 30 laps they just did, O yea without you! This is from personal experience, I just want to race or bash, not sit there and look at my friends have fun without me, while I mess around with my RC. For me and my friends, it's all about convenience and time on the track.