Final answer:
False. Torque wrenches are designed to apply specific torque levels, not to measure how much torque is needed to loosen a bolt. Mechanics use leverage techniques to loosen tight bolts, which increases the torque without adding more force, but it must be done cautiously to avoid bolt damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or False: Torque wrenches are used to determine how much torque is required to loosen a rusted bolt. The answer to this statement is False. Torque wrenches are tools designed to precisely apply a specific torque to a fastener, such as a nut or bolt. When dealing with a rusted bolt, a mechanic may need to apply a higher torque to break the bolt free, but the purpose of a torque wrench is to tighten a bolt to the specifications required, not to measure the necessary torque to loosen it.
Mechanics sometimes use a technique where they put a length of pipe over the handle of a wrench to remove a very tight bolt. This acts as an extension of the wrench handle and increases the leverage, thereby reducing the amount of force that the mechanic needs to apply to achieve the same amount of torque. However, this practice can be hazardous as it may exceed the bolt's tolerance and cause it to break.