When you want to make sure that your gas powered RC cars stay in proper working condition for a long time; some regular planned maintenance to your car will allow it to last much longer.
Whenever you change out the batteries, and before you use it, make sure that you give it a once over. Make sure that the tires are in good shape, and look over the screws to make sure that they are all tightened. Are all the wires connected, and are the battery connections good? Consider whether or not you will have to adjust the shocks for the terrain. Also make sure that the weight is distributed just the way that you want it to be and that the tires that you have chosen are good for the kind of movement you are planning on. A general purpose tire can be good for racing surfaces, but if you want to go off road or onto the pavement, you'll need something heavier. Make sure that you re-glue the tires right away if they get loose.

Are your motor and slipper gear properly aligned? If they are not, this can cause some nasty wear on your gas RC cars. Check the alignment; the mesh should be neither too loose nor too tight. The gap between them can be measured with the width of a piece of paper, but remember to remove the paper before you put it back together. Are the motor and the slipper gear in tight? If not, consider using some LocTite on the screws before you tighten them down again.

Always make sure that you've put your car down on something that it can handle. A race car, for example, cannot be expected to do so well off-road, and a carpet car isn't made for jumps. If you crash your car too often, you are going to to see more damage. If you are going to jump, always do it at a steady speed, without acceleration and do it head on, not at an angle.

Make sure that you are not overheating your components. If at any point you can smell an electrical burning, there is too much stress happening on the motor and damage is occurring. Do not allow your RC car to get wet, because wetness will corrode the electrical parts and encourage burn out. Before you recharge your batteries, discharge the completely, or according to the directions of the manufacturer.

Always make sure that you follow the manufacturer's recommendations when you are dealing with maintenance if you have a gas engine in your RC car. This typically means that you need to clean and oil the filter before storage and drain the fuel.

Use a damp cloth to take away debris or dirt before you put your car away. The batteries should be removed from the car and the controller, and leaving them over an extended time can be quite bad for your car if you leave in long storage. Do you need to replace any parts before you use your car again? Remember that racing with broken parts can lead to more damage, so always make sure that you get the replacement parts that are the most important to the car you have.

Cars do have an end to their use life, but if you get a good quality product from the beginning, it will cost you less in the long run. Always use your common sense and make sure that you follow the maintenance on your RC car.