4 •NITRO RUSTLER
This model is not intended
for use by children under
16 years of age without the
supervision of a responsible
and knowledgeable adult.
All instructions and
precautions outlined in this
manual should be strictly
followed to ensure safe
operation of your model.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
All of us at Traxxas want you to safely enjoy your new Nitro Rustler. Operate your
Nitro Rustler sensibly and with care, and it will be exciting, safe, and fun for you and
those around you. Failure to operate your Nitro Rustler in a safe and responsible
manner may result in property damage and serious injury. The precautions outlined
in this manual should be strictly followed to help ensure safe operation. You alone
must see that the instructions are followed and the precautions are adhered to.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
• Nitro Rustler is very fast! The Nitro Rustler is intended for experienced users
with a high level of skill. The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine is extremely powerful and
may require skilled driving to maintain control. Children under 16 years of age
and inexperienced drivers should not operate the Nitro Rustler without the
supervision of a responsible and knowledgeable (experienced) adult.
• Model engine fuel is dangerous and highly poisonous. Always follow all
directions and precautions printed on the fuel container. Model engine fuel is
poisonous to humans and animals. Drinking the fuel can cause blindness and
death. Handle with care and respect.
•
Model engine fuel, especially when in a fuel dispensing bottle, may look like a cool
drink to a child. Keep all fuel out of the reach of children at all times. Do not place
fuel containers on the ground where children can reach them while you are driving.
• Model engine fuel is flammable. Never allow smoking, sparks, heat, or flame in the
presence of fuel or fuel vapors.
• The engine, brakes, and exhaust system may become extremely hot during use. Be
careful not to touch these parts, especially when refueling or stopping the engine.
• Prolonged exposure to the engine exhaust can be harmful. Avoid breathing the
engine exhaust. Always run your Nitro Rustler outdoors, in a well-ventilated area.
Never run the engine indoors.
• Do not operate your Nitro Rustler at night, or anytime your line of sight to the
model may be obstructed or impaired in any way.
• Never operate your Nitro Rustler in crowds of people or busy pedestrian areas.
Nitro Rustler is very fast and could cause injury to those unaware of its presence.
Keep small children at a safe distance away from the operating area.
• Because Nitro Rustler is controlled by radio, it is subject to radio interference from
many sources beyond your control. Since radio interference can cause momentary
loss of control, always allow a safety margin in all directions around your model to
prevent collisions.
• The engine can be loud. If the noise makes you uncomfortable, wear ear
protection. Be considerate of your neighbors by not running your model early in
the morning or late in the evening.
• Do not kink the antenna wire. Kinks in the antenna wire will reduce range.
• Do not cut the antenna “stinger” or any other part of the antenna wire. Cutting the
antenna will reduce range.
• You must extend the antenna wire in the model as far as possible for maximum
range. In doing so, the antenna wire will be extended outside of the vehicle body.
Do not wrap or coil the antenna wire to keep it from extending out of the body.
•
Do not allow the antenna wire to extend outside the body without the protection of an
antenna tube, or the antenna wire may incur crash damage that could reduce range.
• Most importantly, use good common sense at all times.
BATTERIES AND BATTERY CHARGING
Your model uses rechargeable batteries that must be handled with care for safety
and long battery life. Make sure to read and follow all instructions and precautions
that were provided with the battery packs and your charger. It is your responsibility
to charge and care for the battery packs properly. In addition to your battery and
charger instructions, here are some more tips to keep in mind.
• Use the supplied charger to charge the included battery. See “Charging the EZ-
Start Battery” on page 22.
• Do not charge batteries inside of an automobile. Do not charge batteries while
driving in an automobile. The charger is equipped with a long cord intended
to allow the battery to be charged outside of an automobile when using the
automobile’s auxiliary power socket. If the cord will not reach outside of the
automobile, find another power source.
• Never leave batteries to charge unattended.
• Allow the battery pack to cool off before charging.
• Do not use battery packs that have been damaged in any way. Do not use battery
packs that have damaged wiring, exposed wiring, or a damaged connector as this
may create the risk of fire.
• Children should have responsible adult supervision when charging and handling
batteries.
• Never charge batteries on wood, cloth, carpet or on any other flammable material.
• Do not operate the charger in a cluttered space, or place objects on top of the
charger or battery.
• If a battery gets hot to the touch during the charging process (temperature
greater than 140°F / 60°C), disconnect the battery from the charger and
discontinue charging immediately.
• Always store battery packs safely out of the reach of children and pets.
• Do not expose the charger to water or moisture.
• Do not disassemble the charger.
• Only use approved chargers for Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery packs. Do not
exceed the maximum charge rate of 1 amp.
• Do not short-circuit the battery pack. This may cause burns and severe damage to
the battery pack.
• Do not burn or puncture the batteries. Toxic materials could be released. If eye or
skin contact occurs, flush with water.
• Store the battery pack in a dry location, away from heat sources and direct
sunlight.
• NiMH batteries must be recycled or disposed of properly.
Recycling Your Traxxas Power Cell NiMH Battery
Traxxas strongly encourages you to recycle your Power Cell NiMH battery when it
has reached the end of its useful life. Do not throw your battery in the trash. All
Power Cell NiMH battery packs display the RBRC (Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Corporation) icon, indicating they are recyclable. To find a recycling center near
you, ask your local hobby dealer or visit www.call2recycle.org.
Previous experience with
radio controlled models is
mandatory. These models
are capable of high speeds,
requiring experienced
driving control. Models
require detailed setup,
and/or maintenance
procedures with required
support equipment.
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