The SafeGuard has several retard modes, including knock retard, boost retard, RPM retard, and nitrous retard. A Status LED alerts the user that knock retard is occuring, and can be used as a tuning aid. The LED brightness is in proportion to the knock retard amount. An optional bargraph display can also be connected to a port on the front panel, showing actual degrees of knock retard.

Up to 20° of boost retard is available, and is controlled by two knobs. One is the familiar "Rate" knob, which sets the amount of retard per pound of boost. It's adjustable from 0 to 2° per psi.

In addition, a "Start" knob lets the user set at what psi boost retard starts. It's adjustable from 0 to10 psi.

Mode switch S1 selects either 10° or 20° max knock retard range. In the 10° range, it retards 1°, 2°, or 3° per ping, before the knocking cylinder can fire again. Double that amount in the 20° mode. The retard amount per ping is proportional to knock intensity, and is influenced by the sensitivity control.

S2 is the Retard All/Retard Separate mode selector. In Retard Separate mode, it retards only the knocking cylinders. In Retard All mode, all cylinders are retarded by the same amount.

S5 can be programmed to select various amounts of nitrous retard, which is enabled by a 12v signal from the nitrous solenoid.

S3 and S4 select either 2°, 4°, 6°, or 8° of mid-range RPM retard. The unit starts retarding linearly at 2500 RPM, and reaches the maximum selected amount by 3500 RPM. At 4000 RPM, the unit starts readvancing, and is back to stock timing by 5000 RPM. The retard is also modulated by vacuum, reaching the selected maximum if the vacuum is less than three inches, and decreasing to zero when the vacuum exceeds ten inches. See the illustration below: