Taking off in first gear.

Only problem I've had so far with being off the asphalt is the hood is totally shot.

I'm waiting for it to land on the engine.

It already took out one wiper.

 

I've used first gear a few times. The one I remember was a heavy load of ice cream in Vermont I started going up some crazy grade and when I down-shifted from 6th to 4th I missed it and came to a dead stop on the hill. Had to use first to get going again.

Other than stuff like that I'd usually take off in 3rd or 4th, maybe 2nd if heavy and uphill. This is on mega-geared (pretty tall) 10 speed transmissions.

"Drive it like you stole it" being the motto of the day for company drivers, I couldn't care less of damage to the tranny or clutch, we only run the trucks three years anyway. Chunk a gear, who cares it will slide in easier next time lol.

 

I know a guy that didn't run his truck for 6 months or so, it was eating water and needed inframed. He finally had somebody look at it and the hood hinges were wore out and letting the hood hit the radiator cap, releasing the pressure. lol

 

There is no hard and fast rule you just have to know what is too high based on feel. You don’t ALWAYS have to start out in 1st or even 2nd to not hurt the clutch or flywheel.