RC Grease & Oils

Grease and oil. Not the most glamorous things associated with RC vehicles. But without them, you'd have a lot less fun and a lot more annoyance.

Selecting the right oils isn't always the easiest thing to do. There are plenty of questions that might arise as you look at our store. Should you go with a synthetic oil? A lithium-based grease or a silicone one? And what the heck is PTFE anyway? Let's have a look:

Why Do You Need Lubricants For RC Cars?

Ideally, you'd never need to learn about oils and grease for your cars. But we don't live in an ideal world. Choosing not to invest in a little lubrication for your RC vehicle is a bit like living on borrowed time. It might work for a bit, but sooner or later, it's all going to fall apart.

You see, RC cars are full of moving parts. You've got gears spinning, bearings rolling, and suspension components bouncing up and down. All this creates friction. That causes wear and tear, generates heat, and can even lead to parts getting stuck or seized up.

That's why you buy lubricants. A good oil or grease acts as a barrier between moving parts, reducing friction and allowing everything to move smoothly. It helps dissipate heat. And it can even protect against corrosion and rust.

But it doesn't just prolong your RC vehicle's usability. It can also improve its performance. With less friction to overcome, your motor doesn't have to work as hard, which can lead to faster speeds and longer runtimes. Similarly, without as much friction, handling can improve, and power can transfer more easily from the motor to the wheels.

Not all lubricants are created equal. Using the wrong type can actually do more harm than good. So, read before you buy. You don't want to end up with a pile of moly grease when your shock absorbers need some help.

Essential Oils for RC Cars

Knowing why you need oils and greases is only half the battle. The other half is knowing which ones to get. Each type generally suits a different purpose. Let's have a look at some of them:

• Differential oil: This is the thick, gooey stuff that goes in your car's differential gears. It helps to provide smooth power transfer and can even affect your car's handling.

• RC shock oil: If your main focus is fixing your shock absorbers, then you'll need this. It helps to dampen the movement of the suspension, preventing your car from bouncing around. Different weights of shock oil can be used to fine-tune your suspension setup. Thicker oils are good for damping, and thinner ones are good for more movement.

• Engine oil (for nitro RC cars): Nitro cars need a little bit of special care. Regular oil might not be enough to make it work. So if you're purchasing oil for a nitro car, be sure to double-check it is of a high enough quality that it won't damage your engine. 

• Bearing oil: Your car's bearings are what allow all the spinning parts to rotate freely. They, too, need some care. And that comes in the form of Bearing oil. Designed to penetrate deep into the bearing and provide long-lasting lubrication. A few drops of this can go a long way.

Essential RC Grease

There are also greases that you'll need to know:

• Lithium grease: This is a general-purpose grease. If you've ever used one in an RC car before, this is probably what you're used to. This is a thick grease, which helps it stay put and provide long-lasting lubrication. Note: White lithium grease is also useful to know. It's easier to see but otherwise is basically the same thing.

• Silicone grease: Ideal for use in high-heat areas like the drivetrain or near the engine (in nitro cars) - due to its extreme temperature resistance. However, silicone grease can be a bit messy to work with, so be prepared for some cleanup if you use it.

• PTFE (Teflon) grease: If you're looking for a grease for gears and bearings, then PTFE might be the one. It's very good at helping reduce wear and extending components' lifespan.

• Molybdenum disulfide (Moly) grease: Moly grease's main characteristic is its excellent load-bearing. So, its often used when lubricating high-stress components like gears and CVDs. Like some of the other greases we've mentioned, it's also very resistant to extreme pressures and temperatures.

• Marine grease: If you're all about RC boats, then this is the grease for you. It's incredibly water-resistant, which means you don't have to worry about washout or it getting rinsed away while bobbling along. Not just that thought, it's also specially made to resist corrosion and rust, which every enthusiast knows is killer for your boat. So this is the sort to get if you're an RC sailor.

Specialized Lubricants

Then, there are the more specialized lubricants:

• Cable/wire lubricants: Over time, the cables and wires that control your RC car's throttle, brakes, and steering can start to feel stiff or sticky. If you notice this, a little cable or wire lubricant might do the job. They usually come as sprays or liquids, and a little use can usually restore your vehicle with the smooth movement you love.

• Gear lubricants: Regular greases are, most of the time, all you need for most gears. Yet, some (usually high-performance models) might need specialized lubricant. They're thicker and more viscous than regular greases and are designed to withstand the extreme pressures and temperatures that can occur in high-speed or high-load gear sets.

RC Cars

That's about it. Feel free to click around our RC store until you find the perfect lubricant for your vehicle. While each one is special, we'd like a few products:

• Traxxas Silicone Shock Oil: Designed for use in RC shock absorbers.

• Racers Edge 70ml 2.36oz Pure Silicone Diff Fluid: 100% pure silicone fluid used for smooth, consistent performance in even the most demanding conditions.

• Traxxas Silicone Grease. Perfect for lubricating gears, bearings, and other moving parts on your RC car.

But if none of these suit your needs, we have plenty of other top lubricants in store. So click around and enjoy!

Bit at the top of store page

Oils and grease aren't glamorous. But glamour doesn't make RC cars run. So, that's why we've curated a selection of top-quality lubricants specifically designed for remote control vehicles. There's everything here, from shock oils and diff fluids to silicone grease and specialized gear lubricants. 

Using the proper oils can help you keep your car on the tracks for years and avoid costly repairs. Because of that, we only stock products from trusted brands like Traxxas and Racers Edge.