- Forums > Automotive > British cars
7/11/2008 7:08 PM British cars (30 Comments)
- haj
- 32, Suriname
British cars
Ok so I'm pretty sure most of you here know that the british drive on the wrong side of the road, more than that their cars are made with the steering wheel on the wrong side.
Now i was wondering, I'm used to manual gearbox so how exacly does it work with british made cars?
How do the gears work? Granted that some models have the reverse in diferent places, where does the 1st gear appear?
Closest to the driver or to the passenger?
More than that, where is the clutch? left foot? or right foot?
I was just wondering, so if anyone knows id apreciate it.
Now i was wondering, I'm used to manual gearbox so how exacly does it work with british made cars?
How do the gears work? Granted that some models have the reverse in diferent places, where does the 1st gear appear?
Closest to the driver or to the passenger?
More than that, where is the clutch? left foot? or right foot?
I was just wondering, so if anyone knows id apreciate it.
7/15/2008 2:54 PMRe: Re: British cars
7/15/2008 2:59 PMRe: British cars
SuperHans
26, Nottingham, United Kingdom
It feels totally natural for us because most of us don't know any different! I hired a car in Portugal and I struggled using my right hand to change gear. I'd expect to get used to it after a couple weeks maybe. It's weird how UK, Australia and Japan drive on the left and pretty much the rest of the world on the right.
7/15/2008 3:13 PMRe: Re: British cars
haj
32, Suriname
I know, thats why we say we drive on the right side, and not the wrong side.
Its not that the gear stick is a very precise and technical thing, its just that im strong and more steady with my right, as most people are, and it makes sense to me.
Im sure if i was used to left hand stick, it would be natural too. just like eating chopsticks.
And driving down the right side, was that confusing?
Its not that the gear stick is a very precise and technical thing, its just that im strong and more steady with my right, as most people are, and it makes sense to me.
Im sure if i was used to left hand stick, it would be natural too. just like eating chopsticks.
And driving down the right side, was that confusing?
7/18/2008 10:37 AMRe: British cars
SuperHans
26, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Yeah I guess manufacturers go with the majority and arrange their gearboxes to suit left hand drive. It'd be false economy to completely redesign the box to suit the few right hand drive countries. Especially when there's hardly any difference in driving experience.
Driving on the right was confusing for the first couple minutes. Again, it's something you easily adapt to.
Driving on the right was confusing for the first couple minutes. Again, it's something you easily adapt to.
7/18/2008 10:49 AMRe: Re: British cars
7/18/2008 11:05 AMRe: British cars
SuperHans
26, Nottingham, United Kingdom
I've found reverse is in a different position for each manufacturer. On my Fiat it's next to 6th on the far right, there's a lever on the stick you pull up with your fingers before you can engage it.
With the stalks I have to use my left for lights and indicators, right for wipers except on Japanese cars, when it's the other way around.
With the stalks I have to use my left for lights and indicators, right for wipers except on Japanese cars, when it's the other way around.
7/18/2008 11:15 AMRe: Re: British cars
haj
32, Suriname
thats cool, thats what i would expect, but i wasn't sure, and a few days ago we were having a discussion at the caf, and nobody knew.
And for bikes same as regular right? left foot gears, right foot back break, left hand clutch, right hand front break and accel?
theres no reason for it to be different
And for bikes same as regular right? left foot gears, right foot back break, left hand clutch, right hand front break and accel?
theres no reason for it to be different
7/22/2008 12:35 PMRe: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: British cars
haj
32, Suriname
shh dun say anything chica
7/22/2008 12:40 PMRe: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: British cars
haahahah...not saying anything
7/22/2008 12:42 PMRe: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: British cars
haj
32, Suriname
so u wanna ride on ma bike? huh? huh?
7/22/2008 12:48 PMRe: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: British cars
i love to ride your bike 24/7 what do you say? need rest? hahahha
7/22/2008 12:50 PMRe: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: British cars
haj
32, Suriname
ah youll get sore of ridin it, youll have to take a few minutes to recover every now and again.
7/22/2008 1:02 PMRe: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: British cars
ofcourse both you and i....hehehhe
7/22/2008 1:06 PMRe: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: British cars
haj
32, Suriname
yeah me too, i cant 24 hours either. but i can try
7/22/2008 1:09 PMRe: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: British
yeahh it must be cool riding 24 hours heheh
7/22/2008 1:12 PMRe: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Brit
haj
32, Suriname
yeah but you got to let the engine cool down a bit, and put back some liquids, because after a long time, the heat is going to leave the engine dry
7/22/2008 1:32 PMRe: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
ohh so we better put some extra petrol then eiy? hahaahaha
7/20/2008 6:05 AMRe: British cars
7/22/2008 12:56 PMRe: Re: British cars
haj
32, Suriname
yeah i guess if your used to it since your young, its like being bilingual, it comes naturally, but when you only learn at an older age, it can take time to ajusting.
I remember being a kid visiting england and seeing the car go into the roundabout, on the wrong side, i jumped. "crap we gonna hit" but everybody else was on the wrong side, so it evens out.
I remember being a kid visiting england and seeing the car go into the roundabout, on the wrong side, i jumped. "crap we gonna hit" but everybody else was on the wrong side, so it evens out.
7/14/2008 8:14 AMRe: British cars