Disclaimer and Safety Notes

General information only

GarageCalcs explains common guidelines and does the arithmetic for you. Every situation is different, and a result on this site can be wrong for yours, so please treat it as a starting point and not as an instruction. Always check important figures against the manufacturer's documentation, the applicable standard or a qualified professional. Use of this site is at your own risk.

Lifting and working under a vehicle

A vehicle can fall from a jack. Never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Use properly rated jack stands on a firm, level surface, chock the wheels and follow the vehicle manufacturer's lift points. The tools here do not check your equipment or your setup.

Fuel, fire and fumes

Gasoline vapor, solvents, paint and brake cleaner are flammable, and many are harmful to breathe. Work in a ventilated space away from sparks, pilot lights and hot surfaces, store fuel only in approved containers and keep a suitable fire extinguisher close. Painting, priming and blasting create dust and fumes. Use the respiratory protection, eye protection and ventilation that the product's safety data sheet requires, and note that many two-part clear coats and hardeners contain isocyanates, which need a supplied-air or properly rated respirator. Powder coating ovens and curing need the heat and ventilation the powder maker specifies.

Torque, fasteners and critical parts

Torque specifications depend on the thread, grade, lubricant and the part, and the lookup pages give common values only. For wheels, brakes, suspension, steering, driveline and engine internals, use the figures in the service manual for your exact vehicle and parts, and replace fasteners that are stretch-type or damaged. A wrong torque or pattern can cause a wheel or a part to come off.

Engine building, tuning and power estimates

Horsepower, compression, cam, header and flow figures here are estimates from simplified formulas. They cannot see your engine's actual clearances, fuel, ignition or tune. Forced induction and higher compression raise the risk of detonation and engine damage, and a wrong injector, pump or boost choice can wreck an engine. Have a qualified tuner set up a modified engine, and verify clearances and specifications with the parts maker.

Wheels, tires and gearing

Tire and wheel tools compare dimensions. They do not confirm that a tire or wheel will clear your suspension and body, that it carries the load or that it is legal in your area. Check the load index, speed rating and clearances with a tire professional, and note that changing tire size or gearing changes what the speedometer reads.

Towing, brakes and the road

The hitch class and towing figures are general references. The ratings that count are those on your vehicle, hitch and trailer. Brake and pedal-ratio tools do arithmetic and do not replace a proper brake inspection. If a modification affects safety equipment, check the rules where you drive.

Electricity, batteries and compressed air

Disconnect the battery before you work on wiring, use wire and fuses rated for the load, and follow the compressor and tool ratings. Compressed air can injure and tanks can fail if damaged or over-pressurized, so respect pressure ratings and drain tanks. Coolant and many shop chemicals are toxic if swallowed, including to pets and children, so store and dispose of them properly.

Prices, quizzes and links

Prices and cost figures are typical examples that vary by region, brand and time. The finders choose from a short list of options based on a few answers, and they cannot see your situation or recommend a particular brand or product. Links to other websites are provided for convenience, and we are not responsible for their content. To report an error, use the Report an Issue form. GarageCalcs is independent and is not affiliated with any manufacturer, retailer or organization.