Radio-controlled cars (or RC cars) are self-powered model cars or trucks that could be controlled from the distance employing a specialized transmitter. The term RC has been used to mean both remote controlled and remote controlled, where remote-controlled includes vehicles that are associated with their controller by way of a wire, but common use of RC today usually is the term for vehicles controlled by way of a radio frequency link. This article targets radio-controlled vehicles only.

Cars are powered by various sources. Electric models are powered by small but powerful electric motors and rechargeable nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, or lithium polymer cells. There are also brushed or brushless electric motors. Most fuels powered models use glow plug engines, small internal combustion engines fueled with a special blend of nitromethane, methanol, and oil (in many instances a blend of using castor oil and synthetic oil). These are termed as nitro cars. Recently, exceptionally large designs have been introduced that are powered by small gasoline engines, much like string trimmer motors, involving combining oil and gasoline. Electric cars are likely to be considered easier for the novice to use in comparison with fuel-driven models, but can be just as complex on the higher budget and levels of skill.

In both these categories, both on-road and off-road vehicles can be obtained. Off-road models, that are designed with fully-functional off-road suspensions, plus a wide tire selection, can be used on various types of terrain. On-road cars, which has a a lot less robust suspension, are strictly limited to smooth, paved surfaces. In the past decade, advances in on-road vehicles make their suspension as adjustable numerous full-scale race cars, today. Radio-controlled cars come in toy grade models and hobby-grade models. The term toy or toy grade in relation to radio control cars is utilized to spell it out vehicles with the preassembled type generally found in discount stores and consumer stores. Sometimes they are colloquially referred to as Radio Shack cars. Some toy-grade RC models can be found in hobby shops so as to gain some share of the market from discount stores and interest younger users.

One from the main advantages of toy RC vehicles may be the cost. The average medium-scale toy RC car is about $50-$100 cheaper than an entry-level electric hobby class vehicle. Toy class vehicles are really simple to operate, have a relatively low danger level (top speeds are usually under 20 mph (32 km/h) (generally capable of only about 10 mph (16 km/h) ), and they are easier still to put together than the simplest hobby class able to run vehicles (RTR's). Toy class vehicles are generally modeled after real cars, and frequently feature details that hobby class vehicles lack, like working lights, sounds, windows, opening doors and hoods, and realistic interiors in the worth of weight and durability. Some vehicles also boast working sound systems with radios or MP3 player inputs. There is also a nearly endless array of toy RC vehicle designs, which range from common cars and trucks to tanks, bulldozers, and motor cycles, to increasingly odd vehicles with unorthodox designs.

Disadvantages of toy-grade RC cars are usually manufactured with a target design as well as reducing production costs. Whereas a hobby-grade car includes a standardized motor and separate electronic components that are individually replaceable whenever they fail, toy grade cars are normally made having a nonstandard motor, nonreplaceable chassis components, plus a single electronic circuit board integrated into the design with the vehicle. This makes them difficult, or else impossible to fix, with exceptions being Nikko models and some Radio Shack models. Usually, when one component on the automobile fails, the entire vehicle should be disposed of. Performance is poor too. Most are designed with small, weak motors and they are powered by cheap alkaline or NiCad batteries meaning their top speed is usually only 5-15 mph, and they have short run times before new batteries are required. Most lack any form of your suspension and the ones that have a suspension have very primitive or rudimentary designs. Steering is commonly not proportional (with only three positions, straight, full left, and full right) and there is commonly no proportional throttle either, with stopped and full power usually being the only options. The alignment on many of the smaller cars is off and they are vulnerable to great damage on crashing.

In recent years, hobby-grade ready to run (or RTR) designs have become offered by every major manufacturer of radio-controlled cars, attracting many hobbyists who would otherwise have purchased a pre-assembled car (ARTR or Race Roller). Vehicles with this type need no final assembly and in many instances, the groups are shipped painted and trimmed, requiring no work through the owner before they can be used (other than purchasing and installing batteries). Several cars and trucks are presently available only in willing to run form. The growing popularity in the RTR vehicle has prompted many manufacturers to discontinue creation of kit vehicles. High spec racing vehicles are likely to be still available or sold only as kits, and corporations like Thunder Tiger, Losi, HPI and Tamiya sell kit and RTR versions using the important things about a kit version finding myself upgraded parts or lower costs, respectively. Hobby-grade RC cars could cost from $80-$1500.