How fast can you go by flooring the throttle in first gear?
3 Answers
Normally, the maximum speed in first gear can reach 45 km/h, which is related to the engine displacement and tuning. Taking a 1.6L manual transmission car as an example, when the engine reaches the maximum speed of 6000 r/min, first gear can reach 45 km/h, second gear can reach a maximum speed of 81 km/h, third gear can reach a maximum speed of 133 km/h, fourth gear can reach 183 km/h, and fifth gear can reach a speed of 230 km/h. The engine speed, gear, and vehicle speed should be matched. When the speed matches the gear, the car's performance is at its best, and the thermal efficiency of the fuel is the highest. If the speed does not match the gear, such as high speed with low gear or low speed with high gear, it will not only increase fuel consumption but also cause damage to the engine and transmission, leading to irreversible harm to the vehicle. Therefore, the gear and speed must be matched during driving. First gear is used for normal starting, with a speed generally around 10 km/h. Second gear is a transitional gear for acceleration after starting or for low-speed driving, with a speed generally around 20 km/h. Third gear is used for speeds between 20-40 km/h and is commonly used for city driving. Fourth gear can be used for speeds between 40-60 km/h. Fifth gear is used for speeds above 60 km/h.
I often drive manual transmission cars and have tested the speed limit when flooring the throttle in first gear. For regular family cars like the Corolla, flooring it in first gear usually maxes out around 40 to 55 km/h. For hot hatch models like the Civic, with tighter gear ratios, it's possible to exceed 60 km/h in first gear. The key factor is your car's redline—most regular cars cut fuel at around 6,000 RPM, and with the high gear ratio in first gear, the wheels turn slower, naturally limiting speed. Last time I drove a modified Focus belonging to a friend, I revved it to 6,500 RPM in first gear, and the speedometer showed 67 km/h, but the engine's screaming sound was heartbreaking. Don’t do this often—it’s especially damaging to the piston rings.
I've been a driving instructor for over 20 years, and students often ask this question. Flooring it in first gear is particularly damaging to the car, with speeds reaching at most 40-50 km/h depending on the specific model. When teaching, I always emphasize that first gear isn't designed for speed—it delivers high torque but has strict RPM limits. Once, a student practicing hill starts got so nervous they stomped the accelerator through the floor, sending the car screaming up to 48 km/h, which scared me into immediately telling them to clutch in. Prolonged high RPMs like that cause engine temperatures to skyrocket, risking overheating the radiator. If you really want to try it, remember to lift off the gas after just a few seconds, otherwise the repair costs could buy you two full tanks of fuel.
