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Glossary
If you’re new to hobby-grade RC, you may have some questions about the terms used on this website or in your owner’s manual. This glossary of terms should help you understand some of the convenient features and technology found on your Traxxas radio-control car, truck, boat, or quadcopter.
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. Learn more.
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.
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. Learn more.
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.
BEC
A battery eliminator circuit reduces the voltage coming from the main battery to power certain electronics like servos. Traxxas speed controls feature built-in BECs to perform this task automatically. Some power-hungry accessories like high-powered servos and lighting kits may require a separate, more powerful external BEC.
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.
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.
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.
Break-In
Most Traxxas vehicles are Ready-To-Run® out of the box, however, for the best performance and longevity, a break-in period is required on nitro-powered engines, brushed motors, and other components. Check your owner’s manual for specific break-in instructions.
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.
Camber
Camber is the angle of a wheel relative to the ground. Negative camber means the top of the wheel is leaning towards the center of the vehicle. The camber on many Traxxas vehicles is adjustable via the turnbuckles. This allows suspension tuning for better handling in different conditions. Learn more.
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. Learn more.
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. Learn more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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. Learn more.
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
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.
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. Learn more about 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.
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.
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. Learn more.
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 (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.
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. Learn more about Traxxas batteries.
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. Learn more.
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. Visit the Traxxas legacy page.
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. Learn more about Traxxas batteries.
Lifetime Electronics Warranty (LEW)
The Traxxas Lifetime Electronics Warranty protects you from high replacement costs with special discounted pricing on replacement electronics. Learn more.
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.
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. Learn more about Low-CG kits.
Low Speed Needle
An adjustable needle on the carburetor of a nitro-powered engine that regulates the air/fuel mixture during low throttle application. Learn more.
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. Learn more.
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.
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. Learn more about NiMH batteries.
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. Learn more about Traxxas Top Fuel.
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.
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.
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. Learn more.
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.
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. You must always combine two gears of the same pitch.
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. Learn more about the Power-Up program.
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.
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.
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. Learn more about driving modes.
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.
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.
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.
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. Learn more.
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 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 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
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. Learn more.
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. Learn more.
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. Learn more about driving modes.
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. Learn more.
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.
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.
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. Learn more about TSM.
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. Learn more about telemetry.
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. Learn more.
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. Learn more.
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. Learn more.
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.
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. Learn more about driving modes.
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. Learn more.
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. Learn more about Traxxas Link.
Trim
The fine-tuning adjustment of a steering or throttle servo positions made by adjusting the trim knob on the transmitter. Learn more.
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.
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. Learn more.
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.
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.
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.