How to Make Toy Cars Faster

Drivers, fenders and spare tires add unnecessary weight to a toy car.

Make toy cars move faster by lowering their weight while increasing traction and decreasing internal friction. Toy cars are controlled by the same physics as their full-sized counterparts. Minor modifications and repairs to a toy car can have a major influence on the car's performance. Eliminating issues that may be holding the toy car back will eventually show the results you are looking for. Become a toy car mechanic and get your collection back in action and working better than ever.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver or pliers (optional)
• Compressed air cannister
• Scissors (optional)
• Silicone lubricant (WD-40)
• Cotton swab
• Fine sandpaper

Instructions

1. Remove any parts of the car that are not necessary to its operation to reduce the overall weight. Stripping pieces off the toy car may require a screwdriver or pliers.

2. Flip the toy car over so the wheels are facing up and use a can of compressed air to blast out any trapped dust from the chassis. Use scissors to cut away any hair or string that is tangled into the axles or wheels.

3. Apply a small amount of silicone lubricant to the end of a cotton swab and rub down the axles and its connections to the car and wheels. Spin the wheels during the application to coat the axle on all sides.

4. Roll the toy car forward on a flat surface to see if it is rolling straight. Bend the wheels or axles slightly to adjust the track until the toy car is traveling in a straight line.

5. Scuff the tread section of the wheels with a small piece of fine sandpaper to increase their traction. Spin the wheels as you sand to scuff the wheels evenly.

Tips & Warnings

• Time the toy car over a set distance before and after the modifications and repairs to see how much of an improvement was made.

References

• Planet Science: Science Friction
• WD-40: Official 2000+ Uses