Here are some of the common terms explained for RC cars. These terms and abbreviations are commonly used by experts, manufacturers, message board users, old professionals, racers, club members etc.
Ackerman refers to the angle between the two front (steering) wheels when turned to full lock. Altering this 'ackerman angle' will alter the steering characteristics. A greater angle will give you smooth, predictable steering, whilst a smaller angle will give you more
aggressive steering.
The angle for the rear wish bone hinge-pins relative to the horizontal refers to the term “Anti-Squat”. Increasing the angle gives more antisquat, meaning that the car is less likely to squat (drop at the rear) during acceleration.
Wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear axles of the car.
Camber - The angle of the wheels (when looked at from the front or rear of the car) relative to the vertical is known as Camber. If the wheels lean inwards towards the car, the angle is said to be negative.
If they lean out the angle is positive, however, positive camber is almost never used. Basically, zero camber gives the maximum forward traction, whilst more negative camber gives more grip while cornering. Caster describes the angle (when looking at the front wheels from the side of the car) between the kingpin and the vertical. This is part of the car's geometry which keeps it traveling in a straight line when no steering force is applied. It is not adjustable on all cars.
Final Drive Ratio - The relationship between the speed of the motor and of the driving wheels is known as the Final Drive Ratio. For example, a final drive ratio of 8.17:1 means that for every rotation of the wheel, the motor rotates 8.17 times. Lower the number on the left of the colon, the higher is the ratio i.e. more top speed and less acceleration.
Tweak is the difference between the heights of the wheels relative to the ground (at the same end of the car). e.g. If the front left is lower than the front right the car is said to be 'tweaked' usually caused by a distorted or 'tweaked' chassis or unequal shock lengths
Toe-in is the relative angle between the two front wheels or rear wheels (when viewed from above). If the wheels point inwards (towards the front of the car) it is called toe-in, if they point outwards, it is called toe-out.
Body Roll - When people refer to body roll, they are talking about the way the car pitches, either from side-to-side (when cornering) or front-to-back (when braking or accelerating).
Ball differential is a design of differential unique to model cars which use ball bearings instead of bevel gears to achieve differential speeds at both wheels. It has the effect of allowing one wheel to slip whilst still delivering power to the other. It is also known as 'limited slip differential'.
Belted Tires - Tires which have a flat ring of ridged material molded into the rubber to prevent 'growing' at high speeds, an effect that reduces the tires contact area with the track, resulting in loss of grip. These tires are known as Belted Tires.
Commutator is also known as 'com' for short. It is the part of the rotor (the part inside which turns) which has three copper contacts for the brushes to run on. Keep clean and skim regularly for optimal efficiency and motor life.
Skimming - When a motor has been used several times, the commutator can become deformed, thereby reducing the motor's efficiency. Skimming refers to placing the motor's rotor on a small lathe and turning-down the commutator so that the surface is smooth
and round again.
Brushes are the two copper contacts that supply power to the commutator of the motor. These should be replaced regularly for optimal efficiency and motor life.
Frequency Clash - When two or more drivers in a race are using the same frequency, causing interference to one, or both of the drivers it is known as Frequency Clash. All radio-controlled equipment uses crystals to set the frequency which they operate on. Crystals resonate at a set frequency when an electric current is passed through them.
They are very delicate and should be stored and handled with great care. Crystals come in pairs, one for the transmitter which is marked 'TX', and one for the receivers which is marked 'RX'. Make sure you use the correct crystals, it DOES make a difference.
Squat - When heavy acceleration is applied to the car at relatively low speed, the forward force exerted by the motor is resisted by the inertia of the car. The rear springs store some of this energy (temporarily) by compressing, thus making the rear of the car drop. This is known as Squat.
Dive is the opposite of squat. A car dives when it is under heavy breaking. This is because of the momentum the car has built-up is being resisted by the breaking force of the motor. The front slings store some of that energy by compressing, this making the front of the
car drop.
Dampers absorb the excess energy stored by the springs when the car goes over a bump. Without dampers the car would bounce up and down uncontrollably.
Grip Roll - When you car has just has so much grip that the body roll is just too great, causing the car to completely roll over onto its side it is known as the Grip Roll.
Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) is the electronic box that takes the throttle/brake signal from the receiver and feeds the appropriate amount of power to the motor.
Glitch - When your car makes a sudden twitch causing you to lose control, it is known as the Glitch. This is usually due to some sort of electrical interference.
Transponder is a small electronic device which when fitted to your car, registers that you have completed a lap every time you go past the start/finish line. This is how your race result is recorded, so don't forget to fit it or you won't register any laps!
Trim is the setting on your transmitter which determines whether or not the car runs in a straight line when the steering is in its neutral position.
Under Steer - If when making a turn the car fails to turn enough, instead preferring to go straight. This is called under steer. On the other hand if while making a turn the car turns to much, making the rear-end slide it is known as the Oversteer.
Rostrum is a raised platform for drivers to stand on whilst racing, so they can get an elevated view of the track.
TQ or the Top Qualifier is the racer with the fastest qualifying time overall.
BRCA stands for British radio car association. It is the governing body of the sport in Britain.
Inserts are foam or rubber rings placed between the tire and the rim to help the tire keep its shape.
Apex is the exact mid-point of any given corner. This is the point where you should be closest to the inside of the corner.
Kick-up is the angle of the front wishbones to the ground.
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