forgive me if my terms are not correct. new to this rc thing.

ok, I've got a sanwa mx3x and when the throttle trigger is released (neutral), the rc car's motor will start spinning the moment the receiver is switched on.

how do I set the throttle to 0 when the trigger position is at neutral and pushing the trigger forward = acceleration, pulling trigger back is reverse, etc?

sounds like you need to recalibrate your ESC to your transmitter (the ESC does not know where 'neutral' is). What system are you running?

As above you need to set the ESC neutral, full throttle and full brake position limits. This procedure varies depending on the ESC you have.

Also rebinding your receiver to the transmitter should set the failsafe settings as well, (what the model does when the receiver is powered and not receiving a signal from the transmitter)

I agree with the above posters, calibrating the ESC to the radio should resolve the neutral (and full throttle & brake) issue. But just to add an FYI, the trim setting on the radio also allows moving the neutral point. More commonly used on steering.

Note most all run the throttle trigger as pull for throttle, push for brake, with a pistol style radio.

I'm on mobile so I can't multiquote

the esc I am using now is the tamiya tble 02s but I am getting a hobbywing xerun v2.1 car esc.

the tamiya esc will be used for the slower kits like wild willy2, hummer

hw esc will be used for the faster cars

so it will be great if I can get help for both somehow

norvis .. just adjust ur th trim.. if you have already done the esc radio setup..

If u have not re calibrated esc .. then do that