12V Kids Ride On Bumper Car with RC or Joystick Switch, 5 Point Belt, 5 Light Effects and 66 lb Capacity, Purple

On many ride-ons the joysticks and the remote are always both active. The child pushes, the adult presses, and the car does something neither of them intended.

This model has an RC or joystick switch button. Set it one way and the child drives. Set it the other and only the remote does anything. There is no ambiguity about who is in charge at a given moment.

The switch itself

Three controls pictured side by side: the joysticks, the high and low speed button and the RC or joystick switch. The switch is the one that matters, because it decides which of the other two is doing anything.

Four things the maker lists

A handle in the backrest, a high backrest, a 5 point safety belt and a soft bumper ring. On an open car those four are the whole safety story, and a 5 point belt is more than most offer.

Battery, motors and pace

A 12 V 4.5 Ah battery, two 12 V motors, a 12 V 500 mA charger and 1.55 mph. Slower than a walk, which matches a car intended to be bumped rather than raced.

Lights and sound

Five light effects, listed as red, green, blue, multicolour and flashing, with music and a wireless connection. The strip around the base is what carries them, so the whole car changes colour.

A button that selects which set of controls is live, so the two never conflict.

Shoulder, hip and crotch straps in front of a high backrest.

Red, green, blue, multicolour and flashing on the base strip, with music alongside.

Two driving wheels and two universal nylon wheels turn the car in place.

Both ends of a run are eased rather than abrupt.

Moulded into the backrest, for lifting the car rather than dragging it.

Ships from a Canadian warehouse. Free shipping on orders over $150. Some remote areas, PO boxes and surcharge regions may be excluded or cost extra.

Return within 14 days of purchase, unused, in original condition and packaging.

Covered directly by the manufacturer under their warranty terms for material and manufacturing defects.

Flip the switch and only one set of controls does anything. No guessing which input the car is following.

Start in remote mode, switch to joysticks when they are ready. The maker's age is 3 and up.

Five effects around the whole base, which at this age is a large part of the appeal.

What we stand behind

• The speed, the 66 lb capacity, the age, the battery, the charger and the dimensions are all the manufacturer's published figures.
• The manufacturer states this car is ASTM compliant and CPSIA approved. No certificate number is published.
• No run time, charge time or remote range is published for this model.
• Switching to remote mode stops the joysticks working; it does not remove the need to stay close.
• A toy for supervised play. Never on a road, a sidewalk or a bike path.

What does the RC or joystick switch do?

It selects which set of controls the car listens to. In RC mode the joysticks do nothing and the remote drives. In joystick mode the child has it. That is clearer than a car where both are always live.

What are the five light effects?

Red, green, blue, multicolour and flashing, carried on the strip around the base. Music plays through the same panel.

What age and weight is it for?

3 years and up with a 66 lb weight capacity, both on the manufacturer's dimension panel.

How fast is it?

1.55 mph, or 2.5 km/h, which is below walking pace.

Does the remote need batteries?

Yes, two AAA cells, and the manufacturer notes they are not included.