HYBRID: Tire cleaning mat

Compared to the HYBRID vehicles sold in the HYBRID’s launch year, the Year 2 HYBRID releases included an accessory with the cars. It’s rare for manufacturers to add things over time; the trend is usually towards cost-cutting and therefore removing features, so let’s applaud this move by CARRERA. This accessory is a tire cleaning mat.

Carrera could also have included one in the sets and offered it as an optional accessory, sold in packs of two or three.

Our mat measures 150x55mm and is 2mm thick. The color is red (with a hint of orange, if my eyes don’t deceive me), which of course echoes the CARRERA logo.
It would also have been a good idea to offer different colors to distinguish between drivers.

And importantly, the CARRERA logo is embossed on one side of the mat.

The test

Before actually testing the mat, I took it out, laid it on the floor for photos (for this article), and then placed the BMW on top of it. Naturally, I adjusted the car’s position, took my picture, and then removed it. And that’s when I noticed that with this simple action, the mat had already collected dust.

I think this simple action perfectly illustrates the mat’s effectiveness. I’ve included a larger photo below.

For effective cleaning, simply place the car on the mat and move it back and forth several times (a bit like starting the engine). Nothing more, nothing less. It couldn’t be simpler.

Carrera offers a short video on its YouTube channel demonstrating how to do this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJkGJ0a001g

Since this is a subject I am not familiar with, I asked the Gemini AI to write an explanation for me and give us maintenance tips to preserve the cleaning properties for as long as possible, and to share them with you:

This is a much cleaner solution than the traditional piece of tape (Scotch tape) turned upside down on the track.

Here are the details on its composition and how to care for it so that it retains its stickiness for as long as possible.

1. What is the substance of this mat?

Although Carrera does not disclose the exact chemical formula, this material belongs to the family of high-adhesion synthetic elastomers, often based on soft polyurethane or “tacky” type silicone.

Properties: It’s not an adhesive (there’s no residue transfer to the tire), but rather a very high surface tension that draws out micro-dust and rubber debris trapped in the tire’s pores.
Functioning: The material is designed to be self-regenerating. Unlike a conventional adhesive that wears down, this polymer can regain its properties once the layer of dust that saturates it is removed.

2. How do I clean it properly?

The enemy of this rug is saturation: once covered in grey dust, it becomes smooth and loses its grip. To clean it effectively:

Warm water and soap: This is the recommended method. Use a little mild dish soap and warm water. Gently rub the surface with your fingers to loosen the dirt.
Rinsing: Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all soap residue, as soap will leave a slippery film.
Drying (Crucial): Do not wipe it with a cloth or paper towel. Fibers and lint will stick to it, ruining your cleaning. Let it air dry, or use a hairdryer (cool setting only) to speed up the process.

3. Tips to prolong its effectiveness

To keep your Carrera mat “sticky” for years, follow these tips:

Avoid chemicals: Never use rubbing alcohol, acetone, or penetrating oil (like WD-40). These products dry out the polymer, cause it to crack, and irreversibly lose its stickiness.
Store it away from dust: When not in use, cover the mat or put it back in its original box/bag. If it’s left exposed on the track, it will “clean” the surrounding air and become unnecessarily saturated with dust.
Pre-cleaning by hand: If your tires are extremely dirty (after a long session on the track, for example), wipe them with regular masking tape before using the Carrera mat. This will prevent the mat from becoming saturated too quickly.

Should this pad be protected from light, sun, heat, and cold to preserve its properties?

Absolutely. Like most technical elastomers (these flexible and adhesive materials), the Carrera cleaning mat is sensitive to environmental factors. To ensure it retains its stickiness and flexibility for several years, here are the precautions to take:

1. Light and UV (Enemy No. 1)

Ultraviolet rays are the most destructive to this type of polymer.

Risk: Prolonged exposure to sunlight causes photodegradation. The substance can either become brittle and harden (total loss of adhesion), or conversely, become irreversibly “melting” and sticky.
Tip: Never leave the mat on a part of the track exposed to direct sunlight from a window.

2. Heat (The risk of drying out)

Risk: Excessive heat (near a radiator or stored in an attic during the summer) accelerates the evaporation of the plasticizers that maintain the mat’s flexibility. If it becomes too dry, it will no longer be able to trap tire dust.
Tip: Store it in a room with a constant ambient temperature (ideally between 15°C and 25°C).

3. Cold (Temporary loss of flexibility)

Risk: Cold makes the material more rigid. If you try to use it when it’s very cold, it will be less effective because it won’t conform perfectly to the shape of the tire. However, cold is less damaging in the long run than heat, provided you avoid freezing temperatures, which could cause micro-cracks.

Summary of ideal storage

To maximize the lifespan of your accessory, the ideal is to follow the “3D S” rule: Dark, Dry and Sheltered.

Factor	Impact	Recommended protection
Sun / UV	Very Strong	Store in an opaque box or drawer.
Heat	Average	Keep away from heat sources (radiators, halogen lamps).
Dust	Hight	Cover with plastic wrap or put it back in its bag.
Chemicals	Critical	Never clean with alcohol or solvents.

[Tip] The best thing to do: Once your slot racing session is over and the mat is cleaned/dried, put it back in its original packaging or in a small Ziploc-type bag. This will protect it from light, oxidation, and dust.

Thank you Gemini for these good tips.

Why limit this principle to hybrid cars?

Anything with wheels and tires can benefit from this accessory.

A Pull N Speed also needs clean tires for optimal performance (see photo).

CARRERA 1/43 RC vehicles can too.

Our GO slot cars can also benefit, especially the rear tires for improved traction.

When will this accessory be sold separately?

I can easily imagine a pit lane for 1/24 scale Carrera tracks, in addition to the refueling lane, with a 20cm section on either side of the slot and electrical contact rails made of this material so that the tires can be cleaned when you go through the pits.