The Model Fuel Guide
What is Nitro fuel?
Nitro fuel is a fuel used to power the thermal engine of RC vehicles (cars, boats, planes, etc.). Generally, Nitro fuel is made from 3 main elements: nitromethane, methanol and castor oil or synthetic oil. Added to this are some additives. Nitromethane provides oxygen, methanol generates combustion while oils serve to lubricate the engine and keep it cool.
What are the different types of Nitro fuels?
Nitro fuel brands
There are different brands of Nitro fuels , the best known are Byron Originals Sigma , Tornado and Meccamo . Each has its own manufacturing process and recipe, but what you really need to remember is the percentage of nitromethane .
The percentage of nitromethane
There are fuels that contain 10 to 30% nitromethane. This percentage is usually marked in the product name or on the label. The higher the percentage, the more power and speed the fuel provides, but at the expense of the engine which is less lubricated. Outside of competition, we recommend using more lubricating fuels with only 10% or 15% nitromethane.
What fuel should you choose for your thermal car?
To find out which type of fuel to choose, it is best to consult the user manual supplied with the car. Generally fuels with a small percentage of nitromethane are recommended for small engines and fuels 20 or 25% for larger engines. Using fuel with a higher nitromethane content makes the car more powerful but reduces engine life .
Precautions to take when handling Nitro fuel:
Nitromethane is a toxic and flammable substance that requires special precautions when handling it. We advise modelers to wear gloves when filling the fuel tank of the thermal car to protect the skin as well as eye protection glasses (especially when removing the spark plug from the engine).
Fuel should be stored in the shade, in a dry place and away from open flames (to avoid fires and explosions). The container containing the fuel must be kept closed. This will prevent the fuel from evaporating or spilling onto the ground.
