Manufacturers will sometimes define scale a little differently, let's clear it up. For example, a 1/10th scale vehicle, that simply means it is 1/10th the size of a full size version of itself. You may have noticed Hot Wheels cars are labeled as 1/64th scale, that is because they are a 64th the size of a full size version of themselves.

Manufacturers such as Traxxas will create a name for a specific scale, for example their X-Maxx is defined as "MAXX" scale, which would be around 1/5th. You may find other examples of this when shopping for an RC car.

Some manufacturers market their vehicle as "true scale" or "pro scale". When using these terms, the manufacturer is typically tying to convey that the vehicle has been highly detailed. It could also mean the vehicle has been tuned to operate just like the full version of itself, meaning it will corner, handle bumps, etc. just like they full size version would.

At markets such as Walmart or Target, you may find New Bright R/C or Sharper Image. These types of RC cars are typically referred to as "Walmart Grade RC" brands such as Arrma, TLR, Traxxas, etc. would be referred to as "Hobby Grade RC". The easiest way to tell these apart would be the massive price difference.

Hobby Grade RC are typically not found at large chain markets because they are more considered a hobby item, rather than a toy. You may have even noticed some Hobby Grade RC having a warning on the box or instruction manual saying "This is not a toy".

With the addition of online shopping for most brick & mortar stores you may find some brands being sold by Walmart.com and such, but you still typically are not going to find them in stores.

Some RC cars require maintenance from time to time. We have an entire article talking about good basic maintenance practices, which you can find on the "Learn" page.

Although maintenance can be annoying, some enthusiasts to find it fun as part of the hobby. Depending on your model, most RC cars don't require extremely attentive maintenance, it's always good practice to check on things and listen for any abnormal noises. A lot of hobby shops would be happy to maintain or repair your RC car for you. Your local hobby shop can also serve as a great resource for information and tips for repair and maintenance.