New to RC? Start here

• What does Ready-To-Race mean?
• What's in the box, and what do you still need?
• Where will you drive?
• What does scale mean?
• 2WD or 4X4?
• Brushed or brushless?
• Traxxas skill levels
• Training Mode and TSM
• Your first run
• How we can help

What does Ready-To-Race mean?

Traxxas says: "Ready-To-Race means that a Traxxas vehicle comes out of the box fully-assembled and ready for fun." The body is painted, the tires are glued to the wheels, the radio system is in the box, and "Every Traxxas model includes the basic tools required for essential maintenance." You don't build anything, but you do need power.

What's in the box, and what do you still need?

"Most Traxxas models do not include a battery and charger," and "All models require four AA batteries for the transmitter." The Complete your setup chooser on each vehicle page lists what that exact model needs and gives you a ready-to-run total.

A completer pack is a battery and matching charger in one box; where Traxxas names one, the chooser shows it first.

Where will you drive?

Pick the ground first, then the truck. We sort every vehicle into seven driving-style pages:

• Monster trucks and bashers. Tall trucks on big tires.
• Short course and desert. The Slash's long wheelbase gives "a great blend of smooth-surface handling and rough-terrain capability."
• Stadium trucks and buggies. Traxxas's "top picks" for "peak speed on smooth surfaces."
• Crawlers and trail trucks. Slow going over rocks and trails, with scale detail.
• Street, drift and drag. On-road cars for pavement.
• Mini and small scale. Traxxas says "small cars can be big performers."
• RC boats. For the water.

What does scale mean?

"The scale of a vehicle refers to its size in relation to its real-world counterpart." In RC "the most common size is 1/10 scale," one-tenth the size of the real thing. A 1/7 model is larger; 1/16 and 1/18 models are smaller. The X-Maxx and XRT are so big that Traxxas lists their scale as "X-Truck." Size is not a skill rating: "you can start with any size you like."

2WD or 4X4?

The Rustler, Stampede and Slash each come as a rear-wheel-drive 2WD truck and as a 4X4. "The advantage of a 2WD model is a lower price," and a lighter 2WD truck "may be a few mph faster." Four-wheel drive makes it "easier to put power to the ground for faster acceleration." Traxxas's summary: "a 4X4 will outperform an equivalent 2WD model everywhere except in price, and (possibly) peak straight-line speed." Either makes a good first truck.

Brushed or brushless?

Brushed motors "are inexpensive and simple in their design, but the brushes will wear out over time." Brushless motors have no brushes to wear, so they are "more efficient, more powerful, and virtually maintenance free," but "brushless power costs more initially." Traxxas's advice: "If you can go brushless from the start, go for it," and use Training Mode "until you're ready for full power." Start brushed and you can trade up later through the Traxxas Power-Up program.

Traxxas skill levels

Traxxas lists a skill level for every model, from 1, "which requires no prior radio control experience," to 10, "for expert drivers only," and it recommends "starting with a 'Skill Level 1' or 'Skill Level 2' vehicle." Levels 7, 8 and 9 are not defined on Traxxas's guide page.

On age, a current Traxxas manual says the model "is not intended for use by children under 14 years of age without the supervision of a responsible and knowledgeable adult," and "For people under the age of 16, we generally recommend an electric model."

Training Mode and TSM

Training Mode "limits forward and reverse throttle to 50%, but maintains 100% braking force." It is "simple to activate using the EZ-Set button" on the speed control, and "can be switched off for full-throttle fun" when you're ready. Traxxas's caution: even with power halved, a brushless model on a 3s LiPo "may be faster than a first-time driver is comfortable operating."

Traxxas Stability Management (TSM) "is standard equipment on all Traxxas brushless models." It "makes steering corrections automatically to prevent fishtailing or spinouts even on low-traction surfaces," and "TSM never restricts throttle input."

Your first run

1. Read the owner's manual. Your model's parts hub on our site has it for almost every model we stock.
2. Charge the battery fully and put four AA cells in the transmitter.
3. "Always turn your transmitter on first and off last," and "Never turn the transmitter off when the battery pack is plugged in."
4. Brushed motor? Give it a break-in. Traxxas says "a break-in period is required on nitro-powered engines, brushed motors, and other components," and your manual has the steps.
5. "Clean your vehicle after every run." Rinse with "low-pressure water, such as from a garden hose," but "Do NOT use a pressure washer," and "Never submerge your vehicle completely in water." Since "waterproof does not mean rust-proof," dry it and spray a rust inhibitor on bearings and metal parts.
6. "Always disconnect and remove the battery from the model whenever the model is stored."
7. Register your model with Traxxas within 10 days of purchase; the manual tells you how.

How we can help

"Local hobby shops are the best sources for RC gear," says Traxxas. Every vehicle page on our site has a Complete your setup chooser for that exact model and a comparison table against similar models. Every model has a parts hub, with the owner's manual, exploded views and the parts list for almost every one. Order online, or pick up in store in Houston. Not sure what fits? Ask us.

Warranty claims go straight to Traxxas, which "warranties against manufacturing defects in the electronics for 30 days from the date of purchase" and offers a flat-rate repair plan for electronics after that. "All warranty claims should be handled directly through Traxxas and not your hobby dealer," by phone at 1-888-TRAXXAS. We're glad to help you work out what's wrong first.