What's the Difference Between Nitro and Petrol RC Cars?

The superiority of gasoline vs. nitro engines in RC cars has been hotly debated for decades. Both teams are firmly established on opposing sides of the fence amid these intense disputes between enthusiasts. At Models, we have created a thorough guide on everything related to RC cars to aid your decision-making.

Let's talk mechanics.

Nitro Engines

Glow plugs are used to ignite nitro engines. An external glow igniter on a 1.5v battery is required to heat the glow plug's circuit. Although there are many light igniters, nitro starter kits usually include rechargeable ones, which are the most often used. Once the nitro engine has been successfully started, the glow igniter can be removed from the plug because the engine will re-ignite due to the high heat generated during combustion.

Petrol Engines

Spark plugs are used in gasoline engines; the spark is created when magnets pass a coil, usually on the flywheel. Glow igniters or other starting equipment are unnecessary because this happens automatically whenever the engine is turned over.

Is there a fuel difference?

Indeed! In contrast to a petrol RC car, which needs two-stroke fuel, a mixture of unleaded petrol and two-stroke oil, nitro fuel includes nitromethane, methanol, and oil.

Pros and Cons of Nitro RC cars

Nitro-powered RC cars, buggies, and trucks are often misunderstood as the best option for those new to the game. Read on to find out which RC car is best for you because we at AT Models want to consider all our alternatives.

Pros

  1. Because of the tiny Nitromethane-based engine, Nitro RC cars feature lengthy run times, excellent power outputs, and realistic sound and smell.
  2. Nitro-powered automobiles were the fastest before the brushless technology in electric vehicles. They can reach 50 mph, though, and are still a common choice for racing.
  3. Despite being heavier than gasoline-powered RC cars, an RC car's weight is spread evenly to enable optimal performance.
  4. One significant advantage of nitro cars is that they may operate on a full tank for 10 to 15 minutes before needing to be rapidly refuelled while the engine is still running. This implies that they can work efficiently throughout the day.
  5. The noise level of nitro engines is far higher than that of regular RC vehicles. However, some drivers value this function because it appears more exciting and realistic.
  6. Replacing the separate pieces is reasonably priced. Materials such as glow plugs only cost a few pounds.

Cons

  1. A fair amount of maintenance is necessary for internal combustion engines. This could mean cleaning the air filter, tightening screws, inspecting the clutch, adjusting the carburettor needles, and draining the gasoline tank.
  2. Each brand-new nitro-powered RC car must have a 3-5 tank engine break-in time to guarantee long-lasting efficiency and engine life.
  3. Any engine eventually has unpredictable little issues, so you will need to make some adjustments.
  4. After use, nitro cars require a more thorough cleaning because the engine oil makes the vehicle extremely dirty. However, some people love this feature and are happy to keep changing the engine.
  5. Be prepared for recurring expenses related to RC car consumables such as nitro fuel, glow plugs, air filter oil, and after-run oil.
  6. These cars are the most expensive to maintain because they run on nitro RC fuel. Each user usually uses at least one tank of fuel, which costs about £17 per litre on average and is more expensive than conventional petrol. Furthermore, finding fuel may be more difficult if you don't live near an RC hobby store.

Pros and Cons of Petrol RC Cars.

Pros

  1. These vehicles run longer than others, ranging from 40 to 50 minutes on a single gasoline tank.
  2. Before a setup, the car's batteries and radio console need to be charged, and the gasoline tank needs to be filled. Priming the engine before usage is the only additional preparation required for these cars, and it's easier and less complicated than for a nitro vehicle.
  3. Petrol vehicles require significantly less care than nitro engines, although they need to be cleaned quite a bit because of engine oil.
  4. Since gasoline for RC cars can be purchased at standard costs from any service station, they are a more affordable choice. Additionally, the engines use less fuel than nitro engines.

Cons

  1. They have less power and are slower than nitro versions. This is widely acknowledged due to the models' size; if they moved more quickly, they may become dangerous.
  2. Despite their relative size, they are heavier than other automobiles, and unlike nitro engines, this weight is not distributed evenly. As a result, the unequal weight distribution may make them harder to control.
  3. Gasoline-powered cars are louder but less genuine than nitro models. For some aficionados, the sound of a gasoline-powered RC is preferable. We'll let you decide that!
  4. Gasodies-powered cars are typically more expensive because they come in larger model sizes to accommodate the engine.

Spend some time researching potential RC cars and make sure you pick one you will like building and experimenting with for many years.