How to Get Traction on Mousetrap Cars

Cut a flat rubber balloon into four rings that are about 1 inch wide when they are relaxed. Then, stretch the rings over the edge of four CDs. CDs are light and durable, and they also have a hole in the center that allows you to thread them onto your axles. The rubber from the balloon allows for a better grip on the ground.

Roughen the surface of the wheels with 50-grit sandpaper. This gives you a roughened surface that grips the ground more firmly than smooth wood or plastic might. A 50-grit sandpaper is fairly coarse and tough, allowing it to work for a number of different types of wheels. The tradeoff for this modification, however, is that, while it gives the car better traction, it reduces the amount of distance the car travels.

Stretch a rubber band around the circumference of each wheel. The rubber band gives the wheel more grip while keeping the profile of the wheel smooth. Choose thick rubber bands that cover as much of the wheel̵7;s rim as possible.

Use wide rubber model car wheels. The wider the wheel, the more stable the car itself is, and the more friction it brings to bear on the ground. Choose wheels that are light rather than heavy, as the larger and bulkier the wheel is, the larger the toll on the car̵7;s traveling distance.