Infrared remotecontolled car

1) I am doing a project on infrared remote controlled car.i am using TSOP to receive ir signal from T.V.remote.I wish to know what is range of TSOP i.e(maximum distance at which it can detect signals from T.V.remote.)
2) I want front two wheels for left-right turn and rear end two wheels for moving forward and in reverse direction.how could i use T.V.remote control for this action to get accomplished? I am having an idea of using volume up/down ,channel up/down to do this action.can anyone help me

You might check my PIC tutorials for transmitting and receiving Sony IR remote signals.

In excess of 10m range is easily achieved.

However, the directional nature of IR means it's not a great choice for a remote control car.