Traxxas Corporation Corporate Headquarters 1100 Klein Road Plano, Texas 75074 Phone: 972.265.8000 Toll-free 1-888-TRAXXAS Traxxas U.K. P.O. Box 1128 Winterbourne, Bristol BS17-2SH England Phone: 44.117.956.1002 Internet www.traxxas.com www.T-Maxx.com E-mail: support@traxxas.com Entire contents ©2002 Traxxas Corporation. Traxxas, T-Maxx, TRX 2.5, TQ-3, Top Fuel, EZ-Start, and ProGraphix are trademarks or registered trademarks of Traxxas Corporation.
Introduction Thank you for purchasing a Traxxas T-Maxx Nitro Monster Truck. Traxxas engineers have loaded your T-Maxx with innovative features and incredible “drive-over-anything” performance that you won’t find anywhere else! Your T-Maxx combines automatic, two-speed shifting in forward and reverse, with powerful four-wheel disc braking. The patented transmission design and three-channel TQ-3 radio system put these functions right at your fingertips. The new TRX 2.
Before You Proceed Carefully read and follow all instructions in this and any accompanying materials to prevent serious damage to your T-Maxx. Failure to follow these instructions will be considered abuse and/or neglect. Support Before running your T-Maxx, look over this entire manual, and examine the truck carefully. If for some reason you decide the T-Maxx is not what you wanted, then do not continue any further.
▼ All of us at Traxxas want you to safely enjoy your new T-Maxx. Operate your T-Maxx sensibly and with care, and it will be exciting, safe, and fun for you and those around you. Failure to operate your T-Maxx 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.
Tools, Supplies, and Required Equipment For more info on batteries, see Use the Right Batteries on page 13. Your T-Maxx comes with a set of specialty metric tools. You’ll need to purchase other items, available from your hobby dealer, to operate and maintain your model.
Anatomy of the T-Maxx Fuel Tank Lid Shifting Servo Fuel Tank Steering Servo Slipper Clutch Chassis Shift Rod Spur On/Off Gear Switch Battery Box Pressure Line Suspension Arm (upper) Bumper (Front) EZ-Start Motor Fuel Line Shock Tower EZ-Start Plug Skid Plate (front) Cross-brace Bumper Mount Differential Body Mount Pipe Hanger Bulkhead Half Shaft Air Filter Transmission Pipe Header Engine see pg.
Quick Start: Getting up to Speed The Quick Start Guide is not intended to replace the full operating instructions available in this manual. Please read this entire manual for complete instructions on the proper use and maintenance of your T-Maxx. 8 The following guide is an overview of the procedures for getting your T-Maxx running, from opening the box to breaking in and tuning your engine. Refer to the pages indicated for details on each step.
Gluing The Tires The tires on your T-Maxx must be glued to the rims using CA tire glue to prevent the rims from spinning inside the tires. You can glue the tires without removing the wheels from the truck. For clarity, these instructions show the process with the wheels removed. 1. Remove a wheel from the T-Maxx using the larger (8mm) end of the glow plug (universal) wrench. 2. Use your thumb to push the side of the tire away from the rim.
Decorating Your T-Maxx Applying The Decals The ProGraphix painted body is covered with a protective film for shipping. You must remove this film before applying any decals. To remove the film, lift a corner of the film and carefully pull it off the body in one continuous piece. Your T-Maxx decals are diecut for easy removal. Use a hobby knife to lift the corner of a decal and lift it from the backing. Carefully position the decal over the desired location and press one side on the body.
The Traxxas TQ-3 Radio System Your T-Maxx (model 4910) is equipped with the TQ-3 Radio System. The TQ-3 is a 3-channel system that provides highpower output up to a quarter mile and control for up to three servos.
The Traxxas TQ-3 Radio System Learn terms related to the TRX 2.5 engine beginning on page 23. Radio System Terminology Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these radiosystem terms. They will be used throughout this manual. Channel - The 27 MHz frequency band is divided into 6 channels so that up to six models can be operated simultaneously. Each channel is referred to by its flag color and channel number, as shown below. Channel Frequency Band Flag Color Traxxas Part No.
The Traxxas TQ-3 Radio System Installing Transmitter Batteries Use the Right Batteries Your TQ-3 transmitter uses 8 AA batteries. The battery compartment is located at the base of the transmitter. Your transmitter and receiver use AA batteries. Use new alkaline batteries, or rechargeable batteries such as NiCad or Ni-MH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries in your transmitter and receiver. Make sure rechargeable batteries are fully charged according to the manufacturer’s instructions. CH.1 CH.2 CH.3 4.
The Traxxas TQ-3 Radio System Direct the battery wires through the slot in the battery cover. If the wires are not properly routed, they may become broken or shorted, causing radio system failure and loss of control. Installing Receiver Batteries The radio receiver in your T-Maxx uses 4 AA batteries. The battery holder for the receiver batteries is located underneath the battery cover. The battery cover can be identified by the on/off switch. 1.
The Traxxas TQ-3 Radio System Setting Up the Antenna You must install the antenna mast (tube) before you operate your T-Maxx. You’ll find the plastic antenna tube and tip in the bag with your manuals and documentation. Antenna Tip 1. Locate the black antenna wire that exits the receiver cover. The T-Maxx receiver cover is mounted on the top of the chassis, near the front. 2. Pull the wire straight with your fingers and then insert the end of the wire into one end of the antenna tube.
The Traxxas TQ-3 Radio System TQ-3 Radio System Controls LEFT RIGHT SHIFT REVERSE ACCELERATE BRAKE NEUTRAL SHIFT FORWARD CH.1 CH.1 CH.2 CH.3 16 CH.2 CH.
The Traxxas TQ-3 Radio System Other TQ-3 Radio System Adjustments In addition to the electronic throttle and steering trim controls, your radio system features throttle neutral adjustment and servo reversing switches. ▼ ▼ Throttle Neutral Adjustment The throttle neutral adjustment is located on the transmitter face and controls the forward/reverse travel of the throttle trigger. Change the adjustment by pressing the button and sliding it to the desired position.
The Traxxas TQ-3 Radio System ▼ TQ-3 Radio System Rules ▼ Remember, always turn the TQ-3 transmitter on first and off last to avoid damage to your T-Maxx. Each time you prepare to run your T-Maxx, you must clear your frequency to be sure no one else in the area is using the same channel as you. Channel 1 Brown Channel 2 Red Channel 3 Orange There are six possible channels, numbered 1 through 6. Each is represented by a color.
The Traxxas TQ-3 Radio System Using the TQ-3 Radio System The TQ-3 Radio System was pre-adjusted at the factory. The adjustment should be checked, before running the model, in case of movement during shipping. Here’s how: 1. Fully extend the chrome antenna mast on the transmitter and turn the switch on. The red indicator light on the transmitter should be solid red (not flashing). 6. Operate the throttle trigger on the transmitter and check for rapid operation of the throttle servo.
The Traxxas TQ-3 Radio System Don’t attempt to operate your T-Maxx if there are any problems with your radio system or radio interference at your location. Range-Testing the TQ-3 Radio System Before each running session with your T-Maxx, you should rangetest your radio system to ensure that it operates properly. 1. Turn on the radio system and check its operation as described in the previous section (Using Your Radio System, pages 17- 19). 2. Have friend hold the model with the engine off. 3.
The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine Introduction There’s nothing like the TRX 2.5 engine in your new T-Maxx. The TRX 2.5 engine is vastly superior to typical R/C engines and belongs in the category of specialty high-performance racing engines. It’s the result of years of focused engineering development, and thousands of hours of controlled testing and rigorous real-world running. It offers unprecedented power and performance that turns ready-to-run into Ready-To-Race™. The TRX 2.
The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine TRX 2.
The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine Terms to Know You’ll find these Nitro R/C engine terms throughout this section of the manual. .15 - .15 or “15” refers to the size of the engine. The TRX 2.5 is .15 cubic inches or 2.5 cubic centimeters (cc). The name “TRX 2.5” is derived from the cc measurement. ABC - Abbreviation for aluminum, brass, and chrome. Refers to engine construction that consists of an aluminum piston that slides in a chrome-plated brass sleeve. The TRX 2.5 uses ABC construction.
The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine Flame-out - Occurs when the engine stops running at high RPM. Usually the fault of an excessively lean fuel mixture or glow plug failure. Fuel - (10% 20%) The TRX 2.5 must have model engine fuel to run. Traxxas Top Fuel is recommended. Fuel is sold in quarts and gallons from hobby dealers. The 10 and 20% labeling refers to the percentage amount of nitromethane contained in the fuel (see “nitro percentage” definition).
The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine Priming - Manually causing fuel to move from the fuel tank up to the carburetor. This is sometimes necessary after the engine has been sitting for a long period of time and all the fuel has drained back to the tank. On a Traxxas model this is done by holding your finger over the exhaust tip for one or two seconds while the engine is starting. Punch - A term that refers to how quickly the model responds to throttle input or how quickly it accelerates.
The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine ▼ ▼ Top Fuel is the only fuel which is 100% certified for use in Traxxas engines. Traxxas Top Fuel is made with just the right balance of the highest grade natural and synthetic lubricants to allow excellent throttle response and the best top-end performance, without sacrificing long-term durability.
The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine The Air Filter The TRX 2.5 air filter is carefully designed to deliver maximum performance while protecting your engine from dust and dirt. Use only the supplied filter. You will not improve engine performance by switching to an aftermarket filter, and you may risk engine damage due to poor filtration. The TRX 2.5 air filter assembly consists of 3 pieces: 1. A rubber filter base 2. A plastic housing consisting of a permanently assembled mesh cap and body 3.
The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine See page 35 for more information on how air density affects engine tuning. The Carburetor Understanding the Carburetor adjustments The carburetor performs several functions. It controls the engine’s speed by restricting the intake of air and fuel into the engine. It atomizes the fuel (suspends the fuel droplets in the air) and also controls the air/fuel ratio of the mixture entering the engine (how much air for a given amount of fuel). the correct air/fuel ratio.
▼ Slightly lean fuel mixtures deliver stronger, more efficient combustion and more power, but with less lubrication. ▼ The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine Slightly rich fuel mixtures deliver cooler running and more lubrication but with slightly less power. Water Valve (Controls Overall Flow) High Speed Needle Tuning the engine means finding the perfect balance between the two; excellent power to meet your needs while maintaining good lubrication for long engine life.
The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine 30 ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ If you’re using a 15-minute timed charger, always fully discharge the battery pack before each charge. Some high mAh battery packs (1500 mAh or higher) require more than the standard 15 minutes of charge time. If the battery pack is cold after 15 minutes of charging, add another 5 minutes of charge time. Closely monitor the battery pack and stop charging it when it begins to feel warm to the touch. Never leave a battery charging unattended.
The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine Glow Plug Motor Glow Plug When the EZ-Start controller is in protection mode, wait at least three minutes before attempting to start the engine, to give the starter motor time to cool. It’s normal for your EZ-Start controller to become warm after repeated use. See page 43 for information on clearing a flooded engine. Glow Plug Motor Protection Mode The EZ-Start uses Smart Start™ technology to monitor the condition of the system and detect failures.
Never run your T-Maxx indoors. Since the TRX 2.5 engine exhaust fumes are harmful, always run your T-Maxx outdoors, in a wellventilated area. Your TRX 2.5 engine doesn’t usually require priming. If you do need to prime your engine, watch the fuel line carefully to avoid flooding your engine. See page 43 for information on clearing a flooded engine. The TRX 2.5 uses a ringless, aluminum-brass-chrome (ABC) piston/sleeve construction.
The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine Tank 1 1. Drive the model with the body off. 2. Driving procedure: Gently pull the throttle trigger to 1/4 throttle over a 2-second count. Then gently apply the brake to stop. Count the two seconds out while accelerating: one thousand one, one thousand two, and then stop. Operate the throttle trigger as smoothly as you can. Repeat this starting and stopping procedure until the first tank of fuel is nearly empty. 3. Look for thick blue smoke exiting the exhaust outlet.
The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine When tuning for performance, watch closely to notice when there is no longer any increase in speed or power when the high-speed mixture is lean. If you lean the high-speed mixture to the point that the engine cuts-out, hesitates, or stalls, you are well into the danger zone and engine damage is likely. Richen the high-speed needle 1/4 turn and retune. 34 Cutting out or sudden loss of power during acceleration.
The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine Low-Speed Fuel Mixture Adjustment The low-speed mixture is always set after the high-speed needle is correctly adjusted. The low-speed mixture will be set using the pinch test. 1. Once the engine is warm, do several high-speed runs to confirm that the high-speed needle is set correctly. 2. Bring the vehicle in and pinch closed the fuel line going into the carburetor. The engine should run for 2-3 seconds, speed up, and then die. 3.
The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine Tuning The Engine By Temperature The following procedures require an optional infrared temperature probe or on-board temperature gauge (Traxxas on-board digital temperature gauge, part#4090). Engine temperature can be used as an effective tuning aid when you understand the relationship between engine temperature and ambient temperature. The engine operating temperature, when tuned for maximum performance, will vary according to atmospheric conditions.
Driving the T-Maxx ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ Driving Tips Monster trucks by design have a high center of gravity that requires a different driving technique. To prevent rollovers, slow down as you approach turns and then apply strong throttle through the turns. This technique will help the T-Maxx grab the surface and turn sharper. Do not apply brakes and turn the wheel at the same time. You could tip the truck over.
Adjusting Your T-Maxx Once you become familiar with driving your T-Maxx, you might need to make adjustments for better driving performance. Adjusting the Slipper Clutch The T-Maxx features an adjustable slipper clutch on the spur gear to help protect the drive train from sudden shock loads (such as landing off of jumps with the engine at full throttle). Under normal conditions the slipper clutch should not slip. Before adjusting the slipper clutch, turn the model off.
Adjusting Your T-Maxx Adjusting the Toe-in Your T-Maxx comes from the factory with zero degrees of toe-in in the front, and one degree of toe-in in the rear.You can adjust the toe-in on the front and rear of the truck. Set the steering trim on your transmitter to neutral. Now, adjust your steering turnbuckles so that both front wheels are pointing straight ahead and are parallel to each other (0 degrees toe-in).This will ensure the same amount of steering in both directions.
Adjusting Your T-Maxx For easier access to the rear-most shock mounting screw, remove the one end of the rear turnbuckle. In the front, remove the suspension pin from the lower front suspension arm to gain easier access to the lower shock mounting screws. Adjusting the suspension The T-Maxx has adjustable suspension so that it may be optimized for different kinds of terrain and driving styles. Caster Adjustment The T-Maxx offers the ability to adjust the caster angle of the front suspension.
Adjusting Your T-Maxx Ride height decreases as the lower shock mounting position is moved from position (1) to position (4). Each pair of lower shock mounting holes (1,2 and 3,4) has equal ride height. Use lower ride height for high-speed cornering and flat terrain, and when racing on relatively smooth tracks. Increase the ride height for rougher terrain and tracks. Spring rate (at the wheel), increases as the upper shock mounting position is moved from position (A) to position (B).
Troubleshooting Your T-Maxx ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ Engine will not spin (EZ-Start will not turn the engine): If neither LED on the controller lights, the EZ-Start battery could be discharged or improperly connected. Inspect and recharge if necessary. If the glow plug LED lights and the motor LED does not, then the EZ-Start controller is in protection mode. Allow the controller to cool for at least three minutes.The circuitry should automatically reset.
Troubleshooting Your T-Maxx ▼ ▼ 1. Remove the blue glow plug wire. 2. Remove the glow plug and gasket with the glow plug wrench supplied with your model. A 5/16 nut driver will also work. 3. Turn the model upside down and plug in the EZ-Start controller. 4. Push the EZ-Start button for several seconds to clear the engine of excess fuel 5. Turn the model over and reinstall the glow plug and gasket. 6. Reconnect the blue glow plug wire to the glow plug. 7. Reconnect the EZ-Start controller 8.
▼ Piston/sleeve: The life of the piston and sleeve will vary greatly with how the engine was used and maintained.The piston and sleeve should be replaced when they no longer seal effectively (loss of compression). Symptoms include the engine being difficult to start when warm, stalling when warm, and stalling when throttle is suddenly closed to idle. Replace the wrist pin and G-clip whenever the piston and sleeve are replaced.
Maintaining and Storing Your T-Maxx After-run Procedure You must perform after-run maintenance on your Traxxas engine whenever the model will be stored for longer than a few hours. Taking the time to prepare your engine for storage will reward you with longer engine life, easier starting, and better performance. When a nitro engine is shut off, some excess unburned fuel remains in the engine. The methanol in model engine fuel is hygroscopic, which means it easily attracts and absorbs moisture.
Index 46 ABC 23 After-run maintenance 21, 44, 45 After-run procedure 45 Air density 28, 35 Air Filter 7, 22, 23, 27, 35, 44, 45 Cleaning 21, 27 foam 23 maintenance 43 oil 6, 27 Air Intake 22 Air temperature 36, 43 Air/fuel mixture 28 Air/fuel ratio 28, 29, 32 Airflow 36 Ambient temperature 36 Antenna (receiver) 11, 15, 42 tip 15 tube 15 wire 15 Antenna (transmitter) 11, 15, 42 Antenna Mount 7 Atmospheric conditions 28, 36, 43 Axle pins 9 Barometric pressure 35, 43 Baseline setting 35 Batteries 6, 12, 13,
Index Jumping 37 Lean 24, 29 leaning the mixture 24 maximum safe lean setting 34-35, 36 Lubrication 29 Maintenance 44 Maintenance schedule 21 Methanol 45 Mixture needles 34 high-speed needle 22, 24, 28, 35, 43 low-speed needle 22, 24, 28, 35 Moisture 44, 45 Needle seat 28 Needle settings 43 Needle valve 24 Negative wire 22 Neutral (center) point 17 Neutral position 12 Nitro 24 content 24, 26 percentage 26 compensating for 35 Nitromethane, see also Nitro 24 O-ring 24 Oil 6 after-run 6, 45 filter 6, 27 WD-40™
