RC TERMS

Here are some RC terms you might run into, to help everyone get up to speed with the lingo used in the hobby:

A-Arm

This generally refers to the upper and lower suspension arm of a vehicle; the arm’s 2-point chassis hinge and single point mount at the hub resembles the letter “A”.

2.4 GHz

A long-range radio frequency used by the transmitter and receiver in Traxxas models. Modern 2.4 GHz radio systems are programmed to a specific vehicle and should not interfere with other vehicles in the vicinity.

A

Ampere often shortened to ‘amp’.

After-Run Oil

Just what it sounds like. After you’re done running your nitro engine, it’s recommended that you remove the glow plug and place a couple of drops of After-Run oil in the cylinder as well as in the carb throat.

Air Dam

To prevent a car from lifting off the track at high speeds, most touring car bodies have an extension or air dam in the front bumper that is designed to keep air from getting under the car.

Alternating Current (AC)

An electrical current which periodically reverses direction. AC is typically produced by generators and delivered via the common household wall outlet. An AC charger is one that plugs into the wall.

AM

Amplitude Modulation. Most RTR or ready-to-run kits come with an AM radio system, which is suitable for most newcomers. More serious racers will opt for FM or PCM radios that are less prone to glitching.

Amperage (amps)

In RC terms, a common measurement for RC chargers. Amperage is a way of measuring how much energy a charger can transfer to a battery in a given amount of time. The more amps, the faster the battery can charge.

Anti-squat

This refers to the angle of caster on the rear wheels. Raising the front of the hinge pins of the rear arms gives a caster (anti-squat) angle and helps to transfer the power more evenly, keeping the front of the vehicle from lifting under heavy acceleration.

Approach Angle

A way of measuring in degrees how steep of an angle an off-road vehicle can climb without hitting the bumper. A higher approach angle will make a vehicle more capable at climbing curbs or rocks.

ARR

Almost Ready to Run

Ball Cup

This is a “cupped” plastic piece that snaps onto a ball end to provide a pivot point—usually for suspension movement. Using this type of assembly instead of a rigid system allows the cup to pop off in the event of a crash, instead of breaking. Using turnbuckles with ball cups allows for more tuning flexibility.

Ball End

The ball end is a metal ball with a hex and screw threads on one end. A ball cup attaches over the ball end to provide a pivot point.

Beadlock

A type of wheel used in extreme off-road applications. A locking ring screws down onto the wheel to lock the “bead” of the tire in place. This differs from conventional wheels which use glue to mount the tire.

Bearing

This is essentially a metal “donut,” with tiny balls inside which permit rotating shafts to spin more efficiently. Bearings are widely considered to be the first upgrade necessary for any kit that includes bushings.

BEC (Battery Elimination Circuitry)

Built into an ESC, this circuit uses an electric vehicle’s main battery pack to provide power to the radio equipment, without the need for a separate receiver pack.

Bellcrank

The bell crank is a lever which transforms force from the steering servo to the front wheels of a vehicle. Bellcranks provide precise steering response and maintain the correct geometry for responsive handling.

Big Block

Refers to engines that are .21 size or larger and .15 size engines that use the engine case of a .21

Bind

Binding is a process of “pairing” a transmitter to a receiver.

Bind/Link

Binding or linking is the process of pairing one 2.4 GHz hand-held transmitter to a corresponding vehicle-mounted receiver. This is what allows the remote control to communicate with the vehicle. Once bound, they will stay paired, even when powered down.

Bleeding

When building or rebuilding shock absorbers, it is necessary to remove all of the air and any excess oil. This is known as bleeding the shocks.

Blue Groove

This term refers to dirt tracks that have been smoothed out and packed down along the optimum racing line over time. A blueish tint results from tire wear.

BND

Bind N Drive

Body Reamer

The body reamer is a must-have tool for creating perfect body post holes in Lexan bodies and other semi-soft materials.

Break-In

A new nitro engine has to go through a break-in procedure to mate the engine’s piston to the cylinder sleeve. This provides a longer life expectancy between rebuilds. Recommended procedures will vary by manufacturer and engine. Generally, an engine will need to be run rich and at no more than half throttle for the first 2-3 tanks of fuel. The entire procedure can consist of anywhere from 3-5 tanks of fuel, depending on the individual engine’s instructions.

Brushed

Design/technology of electric motor where brushes are used

Brushed (motor)

Brushed motors use fine copper “brushes” to transfer electricity to the central armature of the motor. When electricity is applied, it creates a magnetic force which spins the central shaft in the motor. Brushed motors are inexpensive and simple in their design, but the brushes will wear out over time.

Brushless (motor)

A brushless motor features a powerful magnet on its central shaft which is driven by a magnetic force created in the surrounding can. Since there is no physical “brush” to wear down, brushless motors are more efficient, more powerful, and virtually maintenance free.

Brushless-Ready

A brushless-ready vehicle is overbuilt to withstand the higher forces generated by brushless power systems. It means you can upgrade from a brushed power system to the more powerful Velineon® brushless power system without spending additional money to strengthen the vehicle.

Bulkhead

A very fundamental part of your R/C vehicle. Several major components rely on the bulkhead to join them to the chassis. Shock towers, upper chassis plates and suspension arms. Differentials are sandwiched between the left and right bulkheads.

Bushing

A metal, and sometimes nylon, “donut” that supports a rotating shaft (like an axle). Most metal bushings are made out of something like Bronze Oilite, a metal that is permanently lubricated.

C

Capacity, when displayed on a battery, the C rating indicates how quickly a battery can be charged or discharged without causing permanent damage to the battery.

CA

Cyanoacrylate. This is a type of fast drying superglue “

Camber

This refers to the angle of the tires in relation to the ground, as seen from the front and rear of the vehicle. Zero camber (90 degrees) refers to tires that are exactly perpendicular to the ground. Tires leaning toward each other have negative camber, while tires leaning away from each other have positive camber. A general rule of thumb is to have a slight bit of negative camber and to be sure both tires maintain the same camber angle. For the most part you should always avoid positive camber.

Capacity

The capacity of a battery is how much energy it can store. Capacity is measured in milliamp hours (mAh). Think of it like the size of a gas tank in a conventional automobile. The higher the mAh, the longer an electric vehicle will run.

Carburetor

This can also be referred to as a carb. This part of the engine controls the ratio of fuel and air entering the engine. There are two types of carbs: slide carbs, where the barrel slides along its axis instead of rotating; and rotary or barrel carbs that rotate. The rotary carb is most common among RTR kits and is fine for most applications. The slide carb provides a quicker response and is therefore more desirable to the more serious enthusiast.

Carburetor

Found on nitro vehicles, the carburetor is a device that combines nitro fuel with air to create a combustible mixture in the engine. The carburetor is adjustable and will require periodic tuning to keep the engine running in peak form.

Caster Block

An upright suspension piece found on the front of a vehicle. The caster block attaches to the suspension arm to hold the steering block in place. These are commonly constructed of composite material with high-strength aluminum available as an option.

Center of Gravity (CG)

The higher your chassis components sit above your wheel’s axles, the higher the CG of your vehicle. As a result, it may roll over more easily during tighter turns. Keeping your CG as low as possible will provide a more stable vehicle.

CG or COG

This is Center of gravity.

CH

Channel, refers to how many “controls” or “signals” the device is capable of

Chassis

Made from aluminum, plastic composites or woven carbon fiber, this is the main platform to which all other components attach.

Chassis

Made from composite or aluminum, the chassis is the main frame of a vehicle to which everything attaches.

Clipless Body

A clipless body forgoes traditional body posts and metal clips for a semi-rigid frame and locking mechanism to secure the body to the chassis. Clipless bodies are generally stronger and remove easily with one quick unlocking motion.

Clutch Bell

The clutch bell attaches to the crankshaft of a nitro engine and meshes with the spur gear, performing the same function as a pinion gear on an electric motor. Changing the number of teeth on a clutch bell alters the way a vehicle performs. Fewer teeth produce more low-end torque, whereas more teeth increase top-end speed.

Clutch Shoes

Clutch shoes are made from aluminum or a composite material and are attached to the engine flywheel. They expand under increasing RPM to engage the clutch bell that, in turn, engages the spur gear to make the vehicle move.

Comm Lathe

An electric motor’s commutator will wear over time. This lathe is used to cut thin layers of material until the surface is like new.

Crank Shaft

The shaft that the flywheel and clutch bell are mounted to. It is attached at the back to the piston by means of a connecting rod. The up and down motion of the piston causes the crank to rotate.

Crystal

A small interchangeable element in radio systems that determines what frequency that radio will operate on. You will find a crystal in the transmitter and in the receiver.

Cush Drive™

Unique to Traxxas, the Cush Drive replaces a traditional slipper clutch in high-powered vehicles. The Cush Drive uses elastomer pads to “cushion” the impact of the motor’s torque onto the drive gear to prevent damage.

CVD

Abbreviation for Constant Velocity Drive. A type of drive shaft that uses a ball type set up that functions similarly to a universal drive shaft. Although “CVD” is a trademark of MIP (Moore’s Ideal Products, Inc.) it has become commonly used to describe any drive shaft of this type.

D/R

Dual Rate is typically adjusted by a dial on your transmitter but sometimes on a switch that can control the amount (more or less) of total movement/travel of your servo on that channel.

Damping

The rate at which a shock is compressed or rebounds. Most RC kits now contain shock absorbers that are filled with fluid/oil. Without this fluid, the shocks are bouncy and provide very little benefit where control is concerned. By changing the weight of the oil or the type of shock piston, or both, you can change the damping rate to tune your car to a specific track and/or driving style.

Differential

A differential is a unit that transfers power from the input to output shafts. The differential, or “diff,” enables the outside wheel of a vehicle to spin faster and travel farther than the inside wheel during a turn.

Differential

A differential transfers power from the central driveshaft to the drive wheels and allows them to spin at different speeds. RC Differentials are often filled with thick silicone fluid which controls how much the wheels can spin independently of each other.

Direct Current (DC)

An electrical current which flows only one way. DC is commonly produced by batteries. A DC charger would plug into a common 12V automobile socket.

Discharger

Many battery chargers include a built-in discharging function. A better way to discharge your packs, however, is with a separate discharger that connects directly to the battery pack. One common style looks like a row of small light bulbs.

Dogbone

A metal driveshaft with a ball at each end that has a pin going through the center; the pin fits into a slot in the outdrive to transmit drive train power.

Drag Brake

Found on TRX-4 and TRX-6 models, the drag brake is an electronic brake that applies automatically without any input from the operator. Drag brakes help slow a vehicle down on steep declines to maintain control.

Drag Link

A bellcrank steering systems consists of 2 posts connected by a bar. This bar is the drag link and is also referred to, by some, as Ackerman link.

Drag Link

A bar that connects the steered wheels of a vehicle. A drag link allows the steering force applied to one wheel to be applied to the other.

Driveshaft

A shaft that transfers rotational force from one component to another. Driveshafts are often formed from two telescoping halves to allow changes in length due to suspension compression.

Dual Rates

This refers to a switch that regulates the sensitivity of transmitter control input. This is a useful function for many beginners, who tend to over-control their vehicles.

Dyno

Short for dynomometer. A device used to rate and compare electric or nitro engines. It measures things like RPM, torque, HP, efficiency, power, amp draw and some will provide powerband graphs.

Electronic Speed Control (ESC)

The ESC is the “brain” of the vehicle. The ESC controls how much power flows from the battery to the motor to generate speed. It also sends power to the receiver to power servos, fans, and other accessories. The ESC is programmable with many safety and convenience features like Low-Voltage Detection and various drive modes.

Endpoint

The furthest point of travel in one direction for a servo. TQi transmitters allow you to limit the servo’s range of motion by creating electronic endpoints to avoid pushing the servo beyond its mechanical limit.

EPA

End Point Adjustments

ESC

Electronic Speed Control Brushless – Design/technology of an electric motor where brushes are not used

ESC. Electronic Speed Control

An electronic component that controls throttle input by regulating the current being sent through the motor.

Exponential Rate

This refers to servo travel that is not directly proportional to the degree of control input. A negative exponential rate makes the control response milder around the servo’s center point, but it becomes increasingly termer as the input approaches 100%.

EZ Start®

Unique to Traxxas, this electric starting system for nitro vehicles uses a battery-powered control box to both ignite and glow plug and crank the engine with an electric motor. EZ-Start makes nitro fun easier and more accessible to everyone.

Fail Safe

If the transmitter’s signal is lost or interrupted a fail safe unit returns the servo to a predetermined position to avoid dangerous runaways. A battery failsafe is a safety feature which brings the throttle servo down to idle as a warning that the receiver battery’s voltage is getting dangerously low.

Fail-Safe

An electronic safety measure built into Traxxas receivers. If the event of a transmitter signal loss, the fail-safe programming will return the vehicle’s throttle to neutral and hold the last commanded steering position.

Fixed Link

Camber and steering links on many RTR (ready to run) vehicles use a non-adjustable link. These can usually be upgraded with turnbuckles as the driver’s skill improves, as he is looking for more adjustability.

Flywheel

The flywheel is the larger metal wheel that sits behind the clutch bell and aids the engine’s crankshaft with momentum and idling. For more torque and smoother idle use a heavier flywheel; for improved top speed and throttle response use a lighter flywheel. On non-pull start models it also represents how to start the engine with the use of a bump starter or starter box.

Foam Inserts

These inserts are used inside tires to help them retain their shape. Different densities are available for use on different track surfaces.

FPV

First Person View

Fuel Gun

A rapid fuel delivery system used during nitro races. Generally speaking, they deliver 75ccs of fuel in just a second or two.

Gear Mesh

The alignment of the teeth on the spur gear to the corresponding teeth on the pinion gear. If the teeth are meshed too tightly, premature wear and excess heat may result. If they are meshed too loosely, excess noise and stripped gear teeth may result. Consult your owner’s manual for tips on adjusting your vehicle’s gear mesh.

Gear Ratio

A way of measuring the mechanical advantage of gears acting upon each other. To calculate the gear ratio, divide the number of teeth on the spur gear by the number of teeth on the pinion gear. The higher the numerical value, the greater the mechanical advantage (torque), but the lower the speed. A lower numerical value will generate more speed, but forces the motor to work harder. Your owner’s manual will have a chart of appropriate gear ratios for your vehicle.

Glitch

Otherwise known as radio interference, a glitch refers to a momentary lapse in signal transmission. There are external sources that cause glitches, (like overhead power lines,) but consistent glitching is most likely the result of something in the vehicle itself, such as metal-to-metal rubbing as you might find with control linkages.

Glow Plug

Resembles a miniature spark plug. A glow plug supplies the necessary heat for igniting the fuel/air mixture in an engine. A battery-powered unit sometimes called a glow starter is installed over the plug to heat the small wire filament inside the chamber. After the engine is running, the glow starter can be removed since the wire filament inside the plug is kept hot by the engine’s “explosions within the chamber.

Glow Plug

A glow plug screws into the top of a cylinder head in a nitro-powered engine. It is used to ignite the air/fuel mixture and begin the combustion process. The exclusive Traxxas EZ-Start® system ignites the glow plug and cranks the engine, all with the push of a button.

Ground Clearance

The distance between the ground and the lowest part of the chassis. A high ground clearance is advantageous for rock crawling and all-terrain driving.

Header

This is the aluminum exhaust coupling that attaches to the engine’s exhaust port. A muffler or tuned pipe is usually attached to this bent piece of aluminum tubing.

High Speed Needle (HSN)

An adjustable needle on the carburetor of a nitro-powered engine that regulates the air/fuel mixture during high throttle application.

Hinge Pin

This is a straight metal pin that connects the suspension arm to the bulkhead, and it allows the arms to pivot up and down.

Hobby Class

Unlike “toys” that are commonly found in large retail chains, hobby class vehicles are specifically engineered for high performance and adjustability. Every part on a hobby class vehicle is offered as a spare and they are designed for easy maintenance and repair.

Hub Carrier

This housing supports the drive axles of a vehicle, and uses bushing or bearings to keep the shaft turning smoothly.

Hub Carrier (axle carrier)

A hub carrier attaches to the rear suspension arm and holds the axle in place. These are commonly constructed of composite material with high-strength aluminum available as an option.

Hydraulic Lock

Also know as hydra lock, the term refers to when the engine becomes flooded with fuel preventing the piston from compressing in the combustion chamber. Engine damage can result if the crankshaft is forced to rotate without relieving the pressure. If this happens remove the glow plug, turn the vehicle upside down and briefly crank the engine to drain the excess fuel

iD®

The exclusive Traxxas iD battery system is the easiest and safest way to charge Traxxas batteries. Traxxas EZ-Peak® chargers recognize iD-equipped batteries automatically to configure and optimize the charger settings with the single push of a button.

Idle Air Gap

A way to measure the size of the opening between the slide of the carburetor and the wall of the air intake. Controlled by the idle air screw, the gap determines how high a nitro engine will run in the neutral position with no throttle applied. The common setting for a Traxxas engine is approximately 1 mm.

JST Connectors

These electrical connectors are widely used within the hobby. The shape of the female end on the battery and the male counterpart on the electrical component prevent accidental reversing of the polarity, which would create a short circuit.

Kit

A term used in RC vehicles meaning that it’s a ‘build yourself’ kit

KV

a term used to indicate how many thousand revolutions per minute (K) an electric motor will complete per volt (V) without a load in a perfect world (the real world figures will always be lower than the rated KV due to many real world factors). KV has sometimes used analogously with turns “

Lean

When the needles on the carburetor are set such that the engine is not getting enough fuel, this is referred to as running lean. Running too lean may help fuel economy and appear to make the vehicle run better; however, it is also a sure way to shorten the life of the engine.

LED

Light emitting diodes are found almost everywhere from status lights on Traxxas speed controls to high-powered light kits that illuminate trails for night running. LEDs are renowned for their long life and low energy consumption.

Legacy

A legacy vehicle is one that is no longer currently produced by Traxxas, but may still be supported with parts, either through Traxxas directly or thousands of hobby stores around the world.

Lexan

This is a clear, plastic-like material that is vacuum-formed over molds to create different body styles. These bodies are then painted on the inside so that the paint does not scratch off from less than perfect laps around the track.

LHS

Local Hobby Store

Lifetime Electronics Warranty (LEW)

The Traxxas Lifetime Electronics Warranty protects you from high replacement costs with special discounted pricing on replacement electronics.

Linkage (throttle, brake)

Heavy gauge wire is used to connect servo horns to throttle and break controls.

LiPo

Lithium Polymer or more correctly Lithium Ion Polymer, a type of battery chemistry

LiPo

Abbreviation for lithium polymer. Rechargeable LiPo battery packs are known for their special chemistry, which allows extremely high energy density and current handling in a compact size. These high-performance batteries require special care and handling and are recommended for advanced users only.

Locking Differential

A standard or “open” differential allows the drive wheels to spin independently. This can be a problem off-road when one wheel has traction and the other is slipping. Traxxas locking differentials operate via a switch on the transmitter to deliver equal power to both drive wheels for maximum traction. A locked differential can help you get over obstacles, but will increase your turning radius.

Locknut

A nut that uses a nylon insert in order to better grip the threads of a bolt or shaft and thereby preventing it from coming loose. It is used extensively for axles and other areas where nuts must stay secure, but it may need to be removed frequently for maintenance or repair.

Low CG

A low center of gravity (CG) improves handling by concentrating a vehicle’s weight down low to reduce rollover. Many Traxxas high-performance vehicles feature low CG designs to deliver razor-sharp handling.

Low Speed Needle

An adjustable needle on the carburetor of a nitro-powered engine that regulates the air/fuel mixture during low throttle application.

Low-Voltage Detection

LiPo batteries can be permanently damaged if their voltage drops too low. Traxxas LiPo-compatible speed controls feature a low-voltage detection setting that constantly monitors battery voltage. If the voltage drops below the safe threshold, the speed control cuts power by 50%, alerting you that it’s time to recharge. This feature must be activated manually by the user. When the low-voltage feature is active, the light on the speed control will be green.

mA

Milliampere – a milliampere (mA) is 1000th of an ampere (A)

mAh

Milliampere-hour – A milliampere-hour (mAh) is 1000th of an ampere-hour ( Ah ).

Mechanical Speed Control (MSC)

The MSC is a servo-driven device that uses resistors to regulate power transfer from the battery to the motor as a means of throttle control.

MHz = Megahertz

Unit of radio frequency. Surface frequencies are75 MHz and air frequencies of 72 MHz, 27 MHz, and 50 MHz can be used for either ground or air applications. However, a FCC license is required to operate on the 50 MHz (am radio) band.

Milliamp

(mAh) This is a rating for batteries. The higher the milliamp rating, the longer the cell can provide power. Currently, most RC batteries range from 1500 to 3300 milliamp hours.

Modular

Many Traxxas vehicles feature a modular chassis design for quick disassembly and maintenance. A modular chassis allows you to remove large segments of the vehicle with a minimal number of screws.

Module used to describe the tooth pitch of a metric pinion or spur gear

The most common modules are 1.0, .8, .6, and .4.

MT

Monster Truck

Muffler

All nitro-powered cars use some type of muffler to reduce the noise output and provide pressure to the fuel tank.

Needle Valve

A nitro engine can have from one to three adjustment needles on the carburetor. They are used to adjust the air to fuel ratio. On most engines, the needle is turned clockwise to lean the mixture (allowing less fuel and more air to enter,) and counterclockwise to richen (permitting more fuel and less air to enter.)

NiCad (or NiCd)

Rechargeable Nickel Cadmium batteries, most commonly used to power radio transmitters and receivers. Also used in stick packs in electric vehicles.

NiCd

Nickel Cadmium, a type of battery chemistry

Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)

Battery cells that do not have “cell memory” with slightly less voltage than nickel-cadmium batteries. For the average enthusiast this means less maintenance.

NiMH

Nickel Metal Hydride, a type of battery chemistry

NiMH

An abbreviation for nickel-metal hydride. Traxxas Power Cell NiMH rechargeable batteries are composed of between five and eight cylindrical cells packaged together in a protective overwrap. Unlike LiPo batteries, NiMH batteries may be completely discharged without harming the battery. For this reason, NiMh batteries are a good choice for beginners.

Nitro

Not to be confused with gasoline, nitro fuel combines nitromethane, alcohol, and lubricating oil for explosive power in nitro engines. Available in varying levels of nitromethane, Traxxas Top Fuel is the only fuel certified to perform in our engines.

Nitro/Nitromethane

This is a fuel additive that increases a model engine’s performance. The ideal nitro content (measured by percentage) varies from engine to engine, but you will typically find 10 to 30 percent on the hobby shop shelf.

NOR

Normal

NORRCA

National Organization for Racing Radio Controlled Autos. www.norcca.com.

OBA

The Traxxas-exclusive On-Board Audio system uses engine sounds sampled from real 900+ hp short course racing trucks. The OBA system is fully waterproof and rugged enough for extreme use.

One-Way Bearing

This is a bearing that allows a shaft to turn in one direction only.

Opti-Drive

Offered on the award-winning Revo nitro-powered monster truck, the Opti-Drive safety system prevents accidental application of reverse while the truck is in motion.

Outdrive

The outdrive refers to shafts that exit the differential on either side and transmit driveline power to the drive wheels using an axle shaft or universal.

Oversteer

The condition that’s usually present when the rear wheels lose traction before the front wheels ending up with the rear of your vehicles swinging around through turns. Adjusting shocks, stickier tires or more rear down force are some possible solutions.

Parallel (battery)

A parallel battery connection combines the output of two batteries to increase the overall capacity. The voltage does not change with a parallel connection, but the capacity (run time) effectively doubles.

Peak

The point at which a battery no longer accepts a charge. Energy is then converted to heat that is potentially hazardous and can be damaging to the battery pack.

Peak Charger

When the battery has peaked, meaning it will no longer accept a charge, this type of charger reverts to a maintenance charge rate, considerably decreasing the chance of damage to the pack.

Pinion (gear)

The gear mounted onto the shaft of the motor which rotates the larger spur gear. Many different sizes of pinion and spur gears are available to maximize the motor’s power for speed or torque.

Pinion Gear

Electric RC vehicles use a pinion gear attached to the motor’s shaft to turn the spur gear which in turn spins the rest of the drive train.

Piston

The piston fits into an internal cylindrical part of an engine called a sleeve and slides up and down during the combustion cycle. The piston turns the engine’s crankshaft via a connecting rod, converting the energy of combustion into rotational torque. The piston and sleeve of an engine are replaceable but must both be replaced at the same time.

Pitch

In its simplest terms, this refers to the size of a gear’s teeth. For instance, a 32-pitch pinion gear has larger teeth than a 48-pitch gear. The number represents how many teeth per inch.

Pitch (gear)

Pitch refers to the size and spacing of the teeth on a gear. In metric terms, this is called “module.” Gear pitch is calculated as the number of teeth per inch of gear diameter. For instance, a 32-pitch gear with 64 teeth would be 2 inches in diameter.

Portal Axle

Unique to TRX-4 and TRX-6 models, portal axles use a series of gears to transfer the power from the axle to the drive wheels. Portal axles sit higher than conventional axles to provide more ground clearance.

Power Supply

A device that converts 110VAC to 12VDC. Generally used to power charging equipment. · Preload (shock). Adjusting preload on shock absorbers determines a vehicle’s ride height. It is adjusted either by clip-on spacers or by tension clamps. Threaded shock bodies use a metal ring that is rotated up or down to adjust preload.

Power-Up™

The Traxxas Power-Up program allows you to trade in old electronics for newer, more advanced electronics at a discounted price. The Traxxas Power-Up program is offered through most hobby shops or through Traxxas directly.

Pre-Load

Pre-load spacers clip onto the shock body above the spring to elevate a vehicle’s ride height. A selection of pre-load spacers is found in the accessory bag of most Traxxas vehicles.

Progressive (rate)

Progressive springs provide a variable rate of resistance depending on how far they are compressed. The initial resistance is soft to absorb minor bumps, but they become progressively firmer the further they are compressed to prevent bottoming out when landing from a jump.

Prototype

A full-scale working model of an original new product or an updated version of an existing product.

Push/Understeer

If a vehicle’s front tires don’t provide enough grip through turns the car will not turn as sharp as it should. It will appear to go straight even though the wheels are turned.

PWR

Power

Race Mode

One of the driving modes programmed into Traxxas speed controls. Race Mode allows for 100% forward throttle and braking, but eliminates reversing in the vehicle. This mode should be used in sanctioned races that do not allow reversing on the track.

RC

Radio Control

Ready-To-Race®

Pioneered by Traxxas, Ready-To-Race means that a Traxxas vehicle comes out of the box fully-assembled and ready for fun. Before Traxxas introduced this revolutionary concept, hobby vehicles required lengthy and complicated assembly times.

Receiver

The electronic component in a RC vehicle that receives a radio signal from the hand-held transmitter. Receivers translate inputs from the transmitter into real-time reactions in the vehicle like steering and throttle control.

Receiver (Rx)

The servo and ESC plug into this electronic unit in an RC vehicle. The receiver converts the radio signals from the transmitter into servos and/or electronic speed controls commands.

Resistor

The resistor is the ceramic unit on an electric vehicle’s mechanical speed control (MSC) that limits the amount of current transferred from battery to motor. It dissipates the energy as heat.

REV

Reverse

Reverse Lockout

This is an ESC function that prevents accidental engagement of reverse function on an ESC. Reverse is generally not permitted in organized racing, in order to prevent track mishaps.

Rich

When the needles on the carb are set such that the engine is getting too much fuel it is referred to as running rich. If you accelerate from a stop and the engine dies, you are probably running too rich and should lean out the engine’s low speed idle adjustment a little (by turning the needle valve or low-end adjustment slightly clockwise).

Rock Crawler

This is a type of vehicle that specialises in overcoming harsh and difficult terrain.

Rocker Arm

Pioneered on the Revo’s suspension, rocker arms transform the vertical movement of the suspension into horizontal shock movement. This provides longer suspension travel with a lower body profile and allows the shocks to lay flat for a lower center of gravity.

RPM

Measurement of engine speed; the number of rotations/revolutions per minute.

RPM

Revolutions per minute.

RTR

Ready To Run

Runtime

Total length of time a vehicle will run on a single battery pack or tank of fuel.

RX

Receiver

S

Series, this letter when displayed on a battery (which is always preceded by a number) indicates how many cells are wired in a series configuration.

Scale

1/5, 1/8, 1/10, 1/16 etc.

Scale (size)

The scale of a vehicle refers to its size in relation to its real-world counterpart. For instance, the Traxxas Ford Raptor is 22.36” long compared to a full-size Ford Raptor which is 220” long. That makes the RC Raptor a 1/10 scale vehicle, or exactly 10x smaller than its full-size counterpart. A 1/18 scale vehicle would be even smaller because it’s 18x smaller than its real-world equivalent.

SCT

Short Course Truck

Series (battery)

A series battery connection combines the output of two batteries to increase the voltage. The overall capacity does not change with a series connection, but the voltage (speed) effectively doubles.

Servo

This is the unit that actually does the physical work inside your vehicle. A servo contains a small motor that, when activated by commands from the transmitter, moves the control linkages for steering, throttle and brakes. Some vehicles with 3-channel radios have a third servo to activate other functions, such as reverse or shifting of gears.

Servo

A small electronic device that incorporates an electric motor and gearing to provide turning motion. Servos are most often used for steering, or throttle and braking control (on nitro-powered models), but they can also be used to engage locking differentials or two-speed transmissions.

Servo

This is an electronic device that converts an electronic signal into physical motion. “

Servo Reversing

This is just what it sounds like. Radios with this function allow the user to reverse the output of the servo. This is useful when you switch the radio system between vehicles that may use different servo placement or orientation.

Servo Saver

A device that protects the servo from excessive force that could damage its gears. It can be integrated into the control horn or the steering bellcrank.

Servo saver

A servo saver is a spring loaded device that fits between a servo and the steering mechanism. A servo saver will twist to absorb shocks that might otherwise damage the gears in the servo.

Shock

A shock absorber attaches to the suspension arms on a vehicle to control their up and down movement for a smoother ride. Shocks are filled with silicone oil to slow the compression and rebound speed of the suspension for better control on rough surfaces. Shock oil is easily changed and comes in many different weights to allow for more precise adjustments.

Shock Piston

A small plastic, brass or nylon disk that travels up and down inside an oil-filled shock body. It uses a hole or holes to regulate the rate at which the shock compresses and rebounds.

Shock Tower

Shock towers attach to the chassis to provide a rigid mounting point for the shock absorbers and often double as mounting points for the body shell.

Skid Plate

A plastic or metal (usually aluminum or titanium) plate that protects the underside of off road vehicles.

Skid Plate

Skid plates attach underneath the chassis of a vehicle to protect vital components from rocks or other impacts. Skid plates are considered sacrificial parts and may require replacement if they become damaged.

Skill Level

A vehicle’s skill level is a way of measuring the driving skills required to safely operate and enjoy a particular vehicle. Models good for beginners usually carry a low skill level number. A vehicle like the XO-1 supercar requires extreme driving skills because its 100+mph top speed could potentially be dangerous in inexperienced hands.

Sleeve

The internal cylindrical part that houses the piston in a nitro engine.

Slipper Clutch

This refers to a device found primarily in off-road vehicles that allows the spur gear to slip under excessive load. This feature protects the driveline from excessive wear and, when set properly, makes it easier to drive in loose conditions.

Slipper Clutch

A slipper clutch sits between the motor and the transmission to absorb driveline shocks for improved longevity. The clutch includes two metal discs separated by adjustable spring-loaded pads which control the amount of slippage.

Sport Mode

One of the driving modes programmed into Traxxas speed controls. Sport Mode allows 100% forward throttle, braking, and reversing. This is the default setting on Traxxas speed controls.

Spur (gear)

The gear mounted onto a vehicle’s transmission which is driven by the pinion gear on the motor. Many different sizes of pinion and spur gears are available to maximize the motor’s power for speed or torque.

Spur Gear

The large gear that meshes with a pinion gear or clutch bell to provide power to a vehicle’s drivetrain.

ST

Stadium Truck

ST

Steering

Stagger

the difference between the circumferences on the left and right side tires. In oval racing, a positive stagger means the outside tires are larger than the inside.

Steering Block

Steering blocks hold the front wheels and provide a rigid mounting point for the steering linkage to turn them. These are commonly constructed of composite material with high-strength aluminum available as an option.

Stinger

The small tubular tip on the side of a tuned pipe where exhaust is expelled.

Sway Bar

A heavy wire that attaches across either or both the front and rear of a vehicle’s suspension arms. It is designed to keep equal down pressure on the left and right through turns. When the outside edge of the vehicle is pushed up through a turn the sway bar pushes down on the inside edge to keep the tires on the ground.

Sway Bar

A sway bar provides tension to keep one wheel on a vehicle from compressing higher than the opposite wheel. This keep both wheels in contact with the ground for better traction during hard cornering and helps prevent the vehicle from rolling over.

Synthesized Receiver

A Receiver, utilizing crystal-free technology, that can be set to any desired frequency.

Telemetry

Traxxas telemetry sensors send real-time vehicle information like speed, temperature, and battery voltage directly to your smartphone via the free Traxxas-Link app.

TH

Throttle

Thermal Shutdown Protection

Temperature sensing electronics in the speed control detect overheating and automatically shut the vehicle down to prevent damage. A fast red blinking light on the speed control will indicate this feature is active. Once temperatures return to a safe level, the speed control will function again normally.

Tire Sauce

a mixture of chemicals or other additive used on tires to improve grip.

Tire Truer

On-road racers running foam tires are likely to have a truer in their pit boxes. When the foam donuts become worn or damaged, the surface can be renewed with a tire truer, a machine that operates in the same manner as a lathe.

Toe

Toe is the angle of the wheels in relation to the center line of the vehicle. If the wheels point straight ahead, parallel to the center line of the vehicle, the toe would be 0°. If the front of the wheels point inward, they would be “toed in.” A slight toe-in of 1°- 2° may aid in straight line stability.

Toe Angle

When seen from above, a car’s front wheels will point inward when the steering trim is set to neutral. Applies to the rear wheels as well. This provides some degree of stability. Too much toe angle will slow you down.

Top Dead Center

In nitro engines, the highest point of a piston’s stroke is called top dead center. As the piston moves higher inside the tapered sleeve of the cylinder, it becomes tighter and requires more force to move. On new engines the fit may be so tight that the piston becomes stuck at top dead center. If this happens, you may need to manually free the piston before using the electric starter again.

TQ. Top Qualifier

The driver who turns the most laps in the shortest amount of time. In full scale racing this is known as the pole setter.

Track

The distance between the centerline of two wheels on the same axle is called the track. It is a way to measure the width of a vehicle’s footprint. Generally, vehicles with a wider track are more stable and less likely to roll over.

Traction Compound

A liquid substance applied to tires to enhance traction.

Training Mode™

One of the driving modes programmed into Traxxas speed controls. Exclusive to Traxxas, Training mode limits forward and reverse throttle to 50%, but maintains 100% braking force. This makes it easier for young or new drivers to develop their control skills gradually before unleashing full-power from the vehicle.

Transmitter

The part of a radio system that is used by the driver to control a vehicle. The transmitter sends signals based on a drivers input to a receiver that is mounted in a vehicle.

Transmitter

The hand-held remote control for an RC vehicle is called the transmitter. It translates throttle and steering inputs into radio signals which are then interpreted by the receiver inside the vehicle and instantly turned into actions.

Transponder

This is a small electronic device mounted in a race vehicle. It transmits a signal to a receiver located at the start/finish line. The receiver records a vehicle’s position and lap times during a race for scoring purposes.

Traxxas Link

Traxxas Link is a free app you can download to your smartphone. Traxxas Link allows you send or receive vehicle data on your phone via an optional Bluetooth module installed in the transmitter. Control LED lighting features, receive speed data, or fine-tune your transmitter all with this helpful app.

Trim

The fine-tuning adjustment of a steering or throttle servo positions made by adjusting the trim knob on the transmitter.

Trim

A small constant offset applied to a control/channel

Truggy

These vehicles generally have a very wide track width (which is the distance between the centre of the left and right wheels), large wide wheels and a low ground clearance making them very stable and easy to drive.

TSM®

TSM puts the fun back in driving by allowing you to spin the tires without losing control. TSM makes steering corrections automatically to prevent fishtailing or spinouts even on low-traction surfaces. The level of TSM correction adjusts easily from 0-100% via a knob on the TQi transmitter.

Tuned Pipe

This is an upgrade for any vehicle equipped with a muffler. It is designed to increase an engine’s power output. Different tuned pipes are available for different applications. Some provide increased top speed while others said off-the-line power.

Turn Marshal

A racer who, after he has finished his race, stands at various spots around the track during the next race to turn over any vehicles that have flipped and to remove vehicles that are no longer operable, for whatever reason, from the race course.

Turnbuckle

This is an adjustable link that has conventional threads on one end and reverse threads on the opposite end. This enables you to make vehicle adjustments without having to remove the link from a vehicle completely.

Turnbuckle

Turnbuckles connect a vehicle’s chassis to the suspension to control the angle and movement of the wheels. Turnbuckles consist of a central shaft with hollow balls on both ends. The length of the center shaft is often adjustable to allow fine-tuning.

Turns

How many times the wire is wrapped around the armature inside an electrical motor “

TX

Transmitter

Universal Dogbone

A universal dogbone is a driveshaft that combines a conventional dogbone and axle into a single, more efficient unit.

V

Voltage

Voltage

In RC terms, voltage is a way of measuring how much electricity can flow from the battery to the speed control. Higher voltage batteries deliver more electricity to the motor to make more power.

VXL

An abbreviation for Velineon®, the high power brushless power systems used in Traxxas vehicles. Velineon components are precision-crafted use the highest quality materials for high speeds, consistent power, and low maintenance.

Wheelbase

The distance between the centerline of the front and rear wheels on a vehicle. Wheelbase can be an important factor in determining which bodies will fit a vehicle.

Wheelie Bar

A stabilizer bar attached to the rear of a vehicle with wheels on it. Wheelie bars limit how much the front end of a vehicle can lift up or “wheelie” under full-throttle acceleration.

WOT

Wide open throttle

Zip Tie

A term commonly used for plastic cable wraps because of the zipping sound it makes when tightened. A good pit box will always have several sizes buried among the hex wrenches and dead glow plugs.