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RC cars are extremely fun to race and have fun with, but if you are in the market to purchase one, you have probably noticed that there are many different types of RC cars to choose from. Not only are there many different sizes and brands, but they also have different power sources.
The two main power sources for RC cars are the battery powered RC cars and the Nitro fuel engine RC cars. While each of them have their positives and negatives, today we will be talking about the Nitro RC cars that are available.
Most people know that the battery life of an RC car will usually last 15-25 minutes before needing recharged. If you are deciding between the two RC cars though, you may be wondering how long you can run a Nitro RC car before it needs fuel.
Nitro RC cars will run an average of 15-20 minutes on a tank of fuel. Even though that does not seem very long, you can refuel the RC car without ever turning off the engine so you can race for hours on end if you wanted without ever shutting your RC car off.
This is one of the main reasons that many people race with Nitro RC cars instead of battery operated ones. People do not want to wait around for a battery to charge for them to use their RC car, and would much rather just add a little bit of fuel and keep racing.
Even the people that have multiple batteries for their battery operated RC cars sometimes will not have enough power in the batteries to race, and will be forced to stop racing while they wait for the batteries to charge. This is something that you never have to worry about if you are racing with a Nitro RC car.
If you like to race all day and not have to worry about charging a battery, you will probably want to purchase a Nitro RC car instead of a battery operated one. Nitro RC cars are not that expensive depending upon which one you purchase, and can be found by clicking here.
How long is RC Nitro fuel good for?
If you already own a Nitro RC car then you probably know just how amazing these RC cars are to race and have fun with. If you are just starting with your first ever Nitro RC car, you are going to have a blast in the next few years with the car!
Now that you have your Nitro RC car, you are probably wondering what happens if you do not use your RC car for a while. Will it just stop working, will the fuel go bad, how long will all of that take, as well as many other questions.
Nitro fuel, if stored properly, will last around 20 years! However, most people like to use it up within one year from the time they purchase it to be safe and make sure it does not get gummy or they don’t have to add any additives to it.
When it comes to the fuel that you put in your Nitro RC car, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Nitro fuel is not that expensive, which is why even though it can last for many years, people normally will just dispose of it or use it all within a year of purchasing it.
If you do not have any Nitro fuel for your Nitro RC car, or maybe you need to purchase some more, it can be hard to find if you are not sure where to look. Thankfully it is still available to purchase online, and can be purchased by clicking here.
How do you store RC Nitro fuel?
Since Nitro fuel will last basically forever if it is stored properly, you may be wondering just how to store it properly? Is it as easy as just putting it on a shelf in the garage, or does it need to be kept in a specific container or at a specific temperature?
Your Nitro RC fuel should be stored in the bottle that it comes in, with the lid securely fastened. It should be placed in a cool, dry, and dark place away from any sparks or hot pipes.
Keeping your Nitro fuel away from any sparks or hot pipes is one of the biggest reasons that Nitro fuel catches fire. Obviously no one wants their Nitro Fuel to catch on fire which is why you should always follow the instructions when storing it to keep it safe.
Most people will store it in a cabinet in their garage as it is off the ground, so it does not get wet, and with the cabinet doors shut it keeps it dark and cool almost year round. If you live in a warmer climate you will want to be cautious about storing your Nitro fuel outside during the summer months.
What can I use instead of Nitro fuel?
While using Nitro fuel for your Nitro RC car is obviously the best, sometimes it seems like you cannot find any even though you know you have a bottle of it. Well if you are in a pinch and need to race your RC car, you are probably wondering if there is something that you can use instead of Nitro fuel in your car.
If you need a different fuel source for your Nitro RC car, you can use WD-40 as an alternative fuel. Even though it is not labeled as a fuel, it will work to run your Nitro RC car if necessary.
You should always try and use Nitro fuel in your RC car, and if possible always make sure you have an extra can of it available as a backup so you do not have to use a different fuel source. Even though you can use the WD-40 as fuel for your Nitro RC car, it is not recommended as the cars are designed to run on Nitro fuel only.
Conclusion
Now that you know about Nitro RC cars and exactly how long they can go before they run out of fuel, you can see exactly why so many people love them. Even though they only last about the same amount of time as a battery powered RC car, you can simply refuel and continue racing.
This is one of the biggest reasons that many people choose to purchase a Nitro RC car over a battery powered RC car. They both have their positives, but being able to race for over an hour straight without having to wait for a battery to charge is a big positive.
Because Nitro fuel lasts so long when properly stored, many people will also have plenty on hand to make sure that they do not ever run out. The last thing anyone wants is to be in the middle of a race and not have any Nitro fuel with them.
Now that you know how to properly store the Nitro fuel, you will also not have to worry about it catching fire, or going bad for a long time. This is good as the last thing you need is to run out of Nitro fuel.
If you do happen to run out of Nitro fuel and you are in a pinch, you can use WD-40 instead to get you through your race. This is obviously not recommended long term, but will do in the moment if you have nothing else.