Left-handed manual driving

[Daishiki]

My coworker was asking me about the gear positions for cars with the driver on the right, but I have no idea. He's thinking about moving to New Zealand or something.

Could someone describe the general orientation, if it is the same or opposite from the US? I know reverse could be in different spots, so that I'm less concerned with. Thanks.

 

[DougK62]

It's the same orientation as left-side driving.

 

[Nyati13]

Originally posted by: DougK62
It's the same orientation as left-side driving.

Yup, and the pedals are in the same orientation also.....


just remind him to "Keep Left"

 

[Daishiki]

Sounds good. Thanks for the replies.

 

[beat mania]

Aren't the signal and wiper stalks reversed though?

 

[compnovice]

Originally posted by: beat mania
Aren't the signal and wiper stalks reversed though?

Yes they are...

 

[Cristatus]

Originally posted by: beat mania
Aren't the signal and wiper stalks reversed though?

Actually, it depends on the car that you're driving...I've driven many cars that have stalks reversed, within the same country.

 

[RichieZ]

being right handed its a good thing i live in the US, i woudln't want to shift with my left hand

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: RichieZ
being right handed its a good thing i live in the US, i woudln't want to shift with my left hand

i'm left handed but wouldn't want to shift with my left hand . it's a matter of what you're used to. go overseas and i'm sure u'll get used to it in a week or two, a month tops.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: compnovice

Originally posted by: beat mania
Aren't the signal and wiper stalks reversed though?

Yes they are...

My Turn signal is on the right. Where is yours?

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: compnovice

Originally posted by: beat mania
Aren't the signal and wiper stalks reversed though?

Yes they are...

My Turn signal is on the right. Where is yours?

my turn signals are on the left, windshield wipers on the right.

edit: i'm in the US

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: alimoalem

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: compnovice

Originally posted by: beat mania
Aren't the signal and wiper stalks reversed though?

Yes they are...

My Turn signal is on the right. Where is yours?

my turn signals are on the left, windshield wipers on the right.

edit: i'm in the US

i have turn signals on both sides </rimshot>

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: RichieZ
being right handed its a good thing i live in the US, i woudln't want to shift with my left hand

You don't exactly need remarkable dexterity to change gear

It's arguable that you're better off with your likely stronger and more dexterous arm on the wheel, since you take the other hand off to change gear

At the end of the day, I can't imagine it making any real difference either way, southpaws don't seem to have any problems here and vice versa...

EDIT: Indicators/wipers are manufacturer dependent, as is the side of the car that has the fuel filler cap.

 

[RichieZ]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: RichieZ
being right handed its a good thing i live in the US, i woudln't want to shift with my left hand

You don't exactly need remarkable dexterity to change gear

It's arguable that you're better off with your likely stronger and more dexterous arm on the wheel, since you take the other hand off to change gear

At the end of the day, I can't imagine it making any real difference either way, southpaws don't seem to have any problems here and vice versa...

EDIT: Indicators/wipers are manufacturer dependent, as is the side of the car that has the fuel filler cap.

i'm much more comfortable using my off hand to steer. I bike a lot and when i am just using one hand its always the off hand, the strong hand is free to get something from my backpack or get my water bottle.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: RichieZ

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: RichieZ
being right handed its a good thing i live in the US, i woudln't want to shift with my left hand

You don't exactly need remarkable dexterity to change gear

It's arguable that you're better off with your likely stronger and more dexterous arm on the wheel, since you take the other hand off to change gear

At the end of the day, I can't imagine it making any real difference either way, southpaws don't seem to have any problems here and vice versa...

EDIT: Indicators/wipers are manufacturer dependent, as is the side of the car that has the fuel filler cap.

i'm much more comfortable using my off hand to steer. I bike a lot and when i am just using one hand its always the off hand, the strong hand is free to get something from my backpack or get my water bottle.

That's because you've grown up doing it, and don't know anything else. I'd be amazed if you said otherwise.

Changing gear in normal driving with modern cars isn't something that challenges anyone, regardless of which hand you use...

That said, if I stuck you in a big old manual muscle car or truck with no power steering, or in an offroad situation even with ps, I would have thought the advantages of right hand drive may increase somewhat.

Personally, my left hand/arm isn't much weaker than my right, from what I can tell at the gym, but it is considerably less coordinated

 

[The Boston Dangler]

if i ever make it to england, i'll be scared to death of driving.

the papers will look something like this:

SEPTIC GETS PISSED ON JUST 4 PINTS, PARALYZES LONDON, COLONIAL WANKER
Congestion charge unpaid, Messers Clarkson and Cleese call for immediate reclamation of N. America, "We told you so"

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: alimoalem

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: compnovice

Originally posted by: beat mania
Aren't the signal and wiper stalks reversed though?

Yes they are...

My Turn signal is on the right. Where is yours?

my turn signals are on the left, windshield wipers on the right.

edit: i'm in the US

OK. mine are on the left too... oops!

I used to have a Civic with them on the right, though.

I'm in the UK.