What is the maximum speed in first gear when pressing the accelerator?

[LaHenry]

When the car is in first gear, pressing the accelerator to 8000 RPM results in a speed of 50 km/h, and at 12000 RPM, the speed reaches 70-80 km/h. Below is relevant information: Speed range: First gear corresponds to a speed of 0-5 km/h. Second gear corresponds to 5-20 km/h, third gear to 20-40 km/h, fourth gear to 40-60 km/h, and fifth gear to 60-100 km/h. Gear shifting timing: For most cars, the optimal shifting point is at an engine speed of 2000 RPM, not exceeding 2500 RPM. For high-displacement, high-power engines, shifting can be done around 3000 RPM.

[LeLane]

That's a great question, and many friends have experienced the feeling of flooring the throttle in first gear. After driving for so many years, the highest speed I've ever reached is around 60 km/h. For example, a regular family car will automatically limit speed when the engine hits the redline. I remember once driving a small SUV—floored in first gear, it only reached 55 km/h, with the engine roaring like it was about to explode and guzzling fuel. You can't keep it up for long before needing to shift, otherwise, the transmission oil temperature rises, and gear wear accelerates. I don't recommend doing this often—it's bad for the car and dangerous, especially in the city where sudden acceleration could lead to loss of control. For normal driving, you should gently press the throttle to start, then quickly shift to second gear to maintain steady speed—it's safer and more economical.

[MadelynLee]

I often test drive different cars and find there's no uniform top speed in first gear—it mainly depends on engine performance. A regular sedan might reach around 50 km/h, while a high-performance sports car could exceed 70 km/h, but sustained high RPMs will trigger the protection mechanism. For example, the other day I test-drove a hot hatch—flooring it in first gear only lasted half a minute before hitting about 60 km/h, with the tachometer nearing the redline. That's when you should manually upshift, otherwise the engine might overheat (warning lights may activate) and fuel consumption would increase unnecessarily. Don't recklessly chase speed—first gear is meant for starting or climbing in daily driving. Safety always comes first—that's the golden rule.

[Valeria]

From a safety perspective, I advise against pursuing maximum speed in first gear. Most regular cars cannot reach 60 km/h even with full throttle in first gear, and it may easily cause engine overload. Sustained high RPM not only wastes fuel but can also make transmission temperature skyrocket, leading to internal component damage. The risk of sudden deceleration or loss of control increases significantly at high speeds, especially on slippery roads. Driving requires knowing when to shift gears properly—to protect both yourself and your vehicle.

[StephanieFitz]

During car repairs, I've seen many failures caused by excessive throttle in first gear, with engines roaring as loud as tractors. Most vehicles can only reach around 40-50 km/h in first gear at most, but the cost is significant: clutch plates wear easily, and the risk of fuel line blockage increases. I recommend regular transmission inspections to avoid such issues. There's no point in pushing for speed; it's better to focus on proper maintenance to ensure driving safety.