On a right hand drive car, what is the shift pattern like?

[Joemonkey]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: glenn1

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And the only thing changing is driver position?

Correct. Although most of the cars are smaller and may not have a 5th gear, and like many American cars it seems utterly random whether the reverse gear is on the right or left. Last time out I had a Ford and the reverse gear was on the left IIRC.

I haven't seen a car with 4sp maual since the early 80's.

You must not be lower middle class then. I've had an '89 nissan sentra, a '90 nissan sentra, and a '93 tercel that all were 4 speed manuals.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: rh71
Rightfully so it should be the same pattern... can you imagine having to worry about a different shift pattern (on top of using your left hand) while driving... unless you like slowing down unexpectedly... that'd be pretty comical.

Isn't it a little ethno-centric to assume that either right- OR left-drive countries would have, as their main concern, the ease with which foreigners could drive on their roads?

I think a lot of people are missing the point that it has nothing to do with which gear is closer to the driver, but the direction in which the driver reads. They don't care in England if 1st gear is close to them, it makes more sense that the gears be arranged left to right because that is the direction they read. I wouldn't be surprised if countries that read right to left have their gears reversed, but then again I'm not sure how many of those countries manufacture cars or transmissions.

 

[trilks]

I drove a couple of times in New Zealand, right-hand driver w/ 1st gear away from you. The shifting part wasn't too bad, just took a moment to get used to. The thing I had trouble with was the blinker. It was on the right hand side of the wheel instead of the left, so when I went to signal a turn, I turned on the windshield wipers...

 

[Thegonagle]

The shift pattern is the same (first on the left), the pedals are the same (clutch on the left), and the signals are the same (lever on the left.) EDIT: Signals are NOT on the left, I guess. That makes sense, because you wouldn't be able to operate the signal if your hand was on the shifter.

I could get used to the driving position, and shifting with my left hand, but the biggest adjustment would be from driving on the "wrong" side of the street. Right turns would weird me out for awhile, I think.

 

[diggerbucket]

Originally posted by: trilks
I drove a couple of times in New Zealand, right-hand driver w/ 1st gear away from you. The shifting part wasn't too bad, just took a moment to get used to. The thing I had trouble with was the blinker. It was on the right hand side of the wheel instead of the left, so when I went to signal a turn, I turned on the windshield wipers...

Must have been a Nissan or something then, most cars in the UK have the indicator stalk on the left of the wheel.

 

[trilks]

Originally posted by: diggerbucket

Originally posted by: trilks
I drove a couple of times in New Zealand, right-hand driver w/ 1st gear away from you. The shifting part wasn't too bad, just took a moment to get used to. The thing I had trouble with was the blinker. It was on the right hand side of the wheel instead of the left, so when I went to signal a turn, I turned on the windshield wipers...

Must have been a Nissan or something then, most cars in the UK have the indicator stalk on the left of the wheel.

It could have been a Nissan. Can't remember for sure, though, it was a few years ago now.

 

[Panakk]

I lived in a country that had right hand drive for 18 years of my life. The shitft pattern is the same as it is in US. So is the pedal pattern.

135
24R

Clutch - Brakes - Accelerator

 

[sillymofo]

Driven a few right handed cars, the gear box is exactly the same, just you that would be different. You shift with left hand, drive with right hand, clutch left foot, gas and brake still on the right foot. It's not as awkward as you would imagine, it takes may be a couple of runs to get used to, but it's pretty much fun afterwards, provided you do know how to drive stick.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: geno

Originally posted by: glenn1

1 3 5
| | |
+++
| | |
2 4 R

And the only thing changing is driver position?

Correct. Although most of the cars are smaller and may not have a 5th gear, and like many American cars it seems utterly random whether the reverse gear is on the right or left. Last time out I had a Ford and the reverse gear was on the left IIRC.

From what I understand, german transmissions ususally have reverse to the left. My Shelby has a Getrag (german) designed transmission, and the reverse is on the left. I've driven a few VW's that undoubtably have german transmissions, and sure enough, they've always had their reverse on the left. I guess it's just a German-inspired thing...

The Getrag that Chevy uses in their cars has reverse to the right and down. So does the Getrag that Chrysler uses.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: paulney
Man, that would suck for me. I'd be missing gears all the time. Can't imagine shifting with a left hand.

that's what I thought too, but after renting a car and driving all over Ireland...I realized it took like 20 seconds to get used to and then I was set.