4 ms·

I have both LHD and RHD cars. I would say the placement of the pedals in relations to the footwell is something that varies a lot depending on the manufacture

by brc 11y ago

I have both LHD and RHD cars. I would say the placement of the pedals in relations to the footwell is something that varies a lot depending on the manufacturer and vehicle rather than 'sidedness'. A lot of people say changing gear with their right hand feels more natural. To be honest I don't think there is a lot of difference. If you're a competent driver the position in the he car shouldn't make for much difference.

phillc73 11y ago
Growing up in Australia, and being left-handed, I thought changing gears with my left hand was completely natural. Now, after several years living and driving in continental Europe, I still find it slightly uncomfortable changing gears with my right hand, especially if in a hurry to do so. However, the oddest thing is that when returning to Australia I now find something like 90% of cars (excluding 4WDs) are automatic, so no changing of gears. While in Europe, the majority of cars are still manual. I do often turn on the windscreen wipers, when I mean to use the indicator, regardless of which country I'm in.
- escherplex 11y ago
  Many moons ago on holiday with my folks on Barbados in the Caribbean a local rental outfit had a collection of old Oz MiniMokes available. Planning on a month's trip to Kiwiland the following October and wanting to drive a manual there, I decided to tool around the Island in a beat-up RHD Moke. Of course pedal configuration was the same but a mirror-image of gear selection was expected. Wrong. It was simply a task of envisioning the shifter in space and changing gears in the normal manner using the left instead of the right hand. But turning on the wipers when you wanted to signal a turn always takes some getting used to. And roundabouts (circles) or wide turns aren't problematic if you just simulate behavior in your head, remembering where you are, before executing your moves. Personally, I still find this fun.
  - brc 11y ago
    Yes, if you have developed a 'relative' position patten in your head, it takes a while to adjust. The secret is to have an absolute position pattern in your head - you know that first gear is up and to the left - and your brain is able to operate your hands accordingly. Same as how you learn where the cupboards are in a kitchen and can open them no matter where you are standing - you have an absolute mental map of the kitchen. It's probably because driving is a stationary activity that the brain develops a relative map (move right hand this direction) rather an absolute (first gear is over there)
- brc 11y ago
  I think you would find 90% of 4wds are automatic now as well. Modern autos are actually more efficient than manuals, and easier to drive. The market has spoken. The wiper stalk position varies depending on the car. As I pretty much only drive European cars it's always on the left and not an issue. As for switching between LHD and RHD, you'll have a default. When stressed (heavy traffic, bad weather etc) your brain will be overloaded making decisions and you will use your default. If that doesn't match the car you're in, you'll try and change gear with the door handle. It's just mlike crossing the street, the way you first learnt is burnt in, and while you can override that, one day the basic programming comes back to the top and you look the wrong way and step out.

by brc 11y ago

phillc73 11y ago

Growing up in Australia, and being left-handed, I thought changing gears with my left hand was completely natural. Now, after several years living and driving in continental Europe, I still find it slightly uncomfortable changing gears with my right hand, especially if in a hurry to do so. However, the oddest thing is that when returning to Australia I now find something like 90% of cars (excluding 4WDs) are automatic, so no changing of gears. While in Europe, the majority of cars are still manual. I do often turn on the windscreen wipers, when I mean to use the indicator, regardless of which country I'm in.

escherplex 11y ago
Many moons ago on holiday with my folks on Barbados in the Caribbean a local rental outfit had a collection of old Oz MiniMokes available. Planning on a month's trip to Kiwiland the following October and wanting to drive a manual there, I decided to tool around the Island in a beat-up RHD Moke. Of course pedal configuration was the same but a mirror-image of gear selection was expected. Wrong. It was simply a task of envisioning the shifter in space and changing gears in the normal manner using the left instead of the right hand. But turning on the wipers when you wanted to signal a turn always takes some getting used to. And roundabouts (circles) or wide turns aren't problematic if you just simulate behavior in your head, remembering where you are, before executing your moves. Personally, I still find this fun.
- brc 11y ago
  Yes, if you have developed a 'relative' position patten in your head, it takes a while to adjust. The secret is to have an absolute position pattern in your head - you know that first gear is up and to the left - and your brain is able to operate your hands accordingly. Same as how you learn where the cupboards are in a kitchen and can open them no matter where you are standing - you have an absolute mental map of the kitchen. It's probably because driving is a stationary activity that the brain develops a relative map (move right hand this direction) rather an absolute (first gear is over there)
brc 11y ago
I think you would find 90% of 4wds are automatic now as well. Modern autos are actually more efficient than manuals, and easier to drive. The market has spoken. The wiper stalk position varies depending on the car. As I pretty much only drive European cars it's always on the left and not an issue. As for switching between LHD and RHD, you'll have a default. When stressed (heavy traffic, bad weather etc) your brain will be overloaded making decisions and you will use your default. If that doesn't match the car you're in, you'll try and change gear with the door handle. It's just mlike crossing the street, the way you first learnt is burnt in, and while you can override that, one day the basic programming comes back to the top and you look the wrong way and step out.