Winterizing Your Redcat Racing Vehicle: Cold-Weather Care Tips

Quick answer

Winterizing a Redcat Racing vehicle means cleaning it thoroughly, protecting the electronics and metal parts from moisture, storing the battery at the right charge level, and keeping the chassis off its tires. Do this before the first hard freeze, and your RC car will come out of storage ready to run instead of needing repairs.

Cold weather changes how your Redcat behaves. Plastic gets brittle, grease thickens, batteries lose punch, and road salt turns every puddle into a corrosion risk. You do not need to stop driving, but you do need a routine that matches the season.

This guide walks through the steps in the order that makes sense: run it one last time, clean and dry it, protect the moving parts, deal with the battery, and store it so spring starts with a working vehicle. Each step includes the mistake that causes the most damage.

Before you start: know what winter actually does to an RC car

Cold temperatures make plastic suspension arms and shock towers more likely to crack on impact rather than flex. Lithium batteries lose voltage faster in the cold and should never be stored fully charged or fully drained for months. Moisture is the quiet killer: water trapped in bearings, screws, and connectors causes rust that shows up as stiff steering and rough drivetrain noise in spring.

That means winter care is mostly about three things: removing water, keeping metal parts lubricated, and storing energy correctly. If you only do one thing, do the battery. If you do two, add a full dry-down of the chassis.

• Work in a heated space if possible; cold plastic is more likely to crack when you pry or unclip parts.
• Keep a towel and compressed air nearby so you can dry the vehicle immediately after its last run.

Step 1: Run it one last time and note any problems

Take the vehicle out for a short final run before storage. Listen for grinding, check that steering returns to center, and feel for wobble in the wheels. Writing down issues now prevents the frustration of discovering them in spring when you have forgotten what the car felt like.

This is also the moment to decide whether the vehicle is being stored for the season or driven occasionally through winter. Occasional drivers should repeat the cleaning steps after every run; full storage means one thorough job now.

• Common mistake: storing a vehicle with a known broken part. Order the replacement now so it is on the shelf when you need it.
• Checkpoint: steering should move freely by hand with no grinding or catching.

Step 2: Clean and dry the chassis completely

Brush off loose dirt with a soft brush, then wipe the chassis with a damp cloth. Avoid spraying water directly at electronics, bearings, or the motor. If you drove through salt or slush, wipe those areas with a slightly damp cloth and dry immediately, because salt residue keeps attracting moisture.

Drying matters more than cleaning. Use compressed air or a hair dryer on a low setting to push water out of screw heads, hinge pins, and bearing shields. Let the vehicle sit in a warm, dry room for a few hours before you reassemble anything.

• Never store a vehicle with water still trapped in the tires or foam inserts.
• Checkpoint: no visible moisture in screw recesses or around bearings before you move on.

Step 3: Protect metal parts and moving joints

Apply a light oil to exposed steel parts such as screw heads, hinge pins, and turnbuckles. Wipe off excess so it does not attract grit. For bearings, a drop of bearing oil on the shields is enough; do not soak them. Plastic parts need no oil and can become sticky if you over-apply.

If your vehicle uses aluminum steering components, check them for play. A worn steering link shows up as vague steering and uneven tire wear, and it is easier to replace during winter downtime than on a race day.

• Common mistake: spraying lubricant on the motor or electronics. Keep oil away from anything electrical.
• Checkpoint: move the suspension through its travel by hand; it should feel smooth, not gritty or sticky.

Step 4: Handle the battery correctly for storage

Lithium batteries should be stored at storage voltage, not full and not empty. If your charger has a storage mode, use it. If not, discharge to roughly half capacity. Store the battery indoors at room temperature, away from metal objects and anything that could puncture the cells.

Cold weather reduces runtime, so if you plan to drive in winter, warm the battery indoors before a run and expect shorter sessions. Never charge a cold battery immediately after bringing it in from outside; let it reach room temperature first.

• Do not store batteries in a freezing garage or shed.
• Checkpoint: battery voltage should read near storage level before you put it away.

Step 5: Store the vehicle so it holds its shape

Rest the chassis on a block or stand so the tires are off the ground. This prevents flat spots and takes pressure off the suspension. Cover the vehicle with a cloth or breathable cover to keep dust off, but avoid sealed plastic bags that trap moisture.

Store it in a dry, temperature-stable spot. A garage that swings between freezing and warm invites condensation on metal parts. If you must use a cold space, add a moisture absorber nearby and check the vehicle monthly.

• Common mistake: stacking heavy items on top of the vehicle.
• Checkpoint: tires should not be touching the floor or bearing weight.

Step 6: Keep spare parts ready for spring

Winter is the best time to inspect wear items and order replacements. Suspension arms, differential cases, and steering links are common wear points, and having them on hand means your first spring run is not cut short. Check your model's parts list before ordering, since some parts fit multiple vehicles and some fit only one.

If you are unsure whether a part is compatible, confirm against your specific vehicle before buying. A few minutes of checking now avoids a return later.

• Store small parts like screws in labeled bags so you can find them quickly.
• Checkpoint: make a list of any part that showed play, cracks, or rust during inspection.

Winterizing checklist: run through this in order

1. Do a final function check: Run the vehicle briefly and note steering play, drivetrain noise, and any wobble. Checkpoint: write down issues before you clean, so you do not forget them.
2. Clean and fully dry the chassis: Brush off dirt, wipe away salt or slush residue, then use compressed air to push water out of screw heads and bearings. Common mistake: storing while still damp, which causes rust.
3. Lubricate metal and moving joints: Add a light oil to hinge pins, turnbuckles, and bearing shields; wipe off excess. Keep oil away from electronics and the motor.
4. Set the battery to storage voltage: Use your charger's storage mode or discharge to roughly half capacity, then store indoors at room temperature. Checkpoint: never store a battery full, empty, or in a freezing space.
5. Store the vehicle off its tires: Rest the chassis on a stand or block, cover it with a breathable cloth, and keep it in a dry, stable spot. Avoid sealed plastic bags that trap moisture.
6. Order wear parts before spring: Replace or stock suspension arms, differential cases, steering links, and common screws now. Confirm compatibility with your specific vehicle before ordering.

Redcat parts worth having on hand for winter

• RER14945: Suspension Arm Set (Plastic) (1 set). Cold plastic cracks more easily, so a spare suspension arm set lets you replace a broken arm without waiting on shipping in the middle of winter.
• 02039: Differential Case (2pcs). If you notice rough drivetrain noise during your pre-storage check, a cracked or worn differential case is a common cause and this two-piece set covers both sides.
• 02007: Rear Lower Suspension Arms (Plastic) from Redcat Racing are offered as a pair (1pr). This spare part is listed for the LIGHTNING EP DRIFT and LIGHTNING STK, and is also noted for the legacy LIGHTNING STR. Please confirm compatibility with your specific vehicle before ordering. A good example of why you check fitment first: this pair fits specific Lightning models, so confirm your vehicle before ordering rather than assuming it is universal.
• RER30286: Steering Link (Aluminum)(Red)(1pc). An aluminum steering link resists the flex and wear that show up as vague steering after a season of cold-weather running.

Winterizing your Redcat Racing vehicle is mostly about removing moisture, protecting metal, and storing the battery correctly. Do those three things and your car will be ready to run when the weather turns, with fewer surprises and fewer parts to replace.