OK, yeah, I'm an American, and I'm used to steering wheels on the left side (the PROPER side!) of the car. When I was in Namibia, of course, they were on the right side and I ended up paying twice as much for an automatic rental car because I didn't feel comfortable driving a stick like that.

However, IF I got back and want to rent, I think I'll want to save some money and get the manual.

Now, silly question, but:

With the cars I'm used to, first and second gear are closest to the right leg and then go out to 5th (and reverse) from left to right - you end up with your hand farthest away from you for 5th gear and to go into reverse.

Is it opposite for vehicles with the steering wheel on the right? Meaning, does first and second start off closest to the left leg and then progress outward?

You get the award for the most questions I have never heard asked on the internet before!

Truth is you will get used to it, you may jam a gear here and there, but ... hey, it's a rental! Who cares!

Gears are one thing. It's those dang right hand turns that get me!

By the way, that is my favorite Roosevelt quote in your sig line.

No- shift pattern ws the same a left hand drive cars- at least on the Yaris and Land Crusier I drove. I however did find myself flipping on the wipers on the Yaris while attempting to make a turn the first day or two
You will do fine I'm sure.

Jimmy

Shift pattern the same on the Renault I drove for several weeks in the UK... 1st- top left, etc.

I've had the same/opposite problem driving in Europe. (That's France, Germany etc. UK is not part Europe!!)
To be honest I can't remember which way round the gears go, other than it's completely natural... The hardest bit is stopping at a junction and reaching down to change gear with your normal hand to find nothing. Embarassing if you have a passenger watching!!

John,

You are fretting over it way too much. As has been stated you will have no problem making the switch...maybe smoothing a few gears out a bit but after a few minutes of driving you'll get the hang of it. And it would be far better for you to focus on driving properly on the road and not taking off any mirrors, hitting a curb etc than to worry about shifiting gears. I go to the UK frequently and drive there without problem. We drove all around the northern half of Namibia in 2006 with a right hand/manual drive and had no problems....now on the other hand coming back to the US after driving on the "wrong" side of the road for a week or so and readjusting could be interesting. First day back I drove down to the hardware store in the early morning about 2 miles before I realized I was I was back home....luckily no one killed or injured

Good luck,
Paul

quote:

Originally posted by JimD:
No- shift pattern ws the same a left hand drive cars- at least on the Yaris and Land Crusier I drove. I however did find myself flipping on the wipers on the Yaris while attempting to make a turn the first day or two
You will do fine I'm sure.

Jimmy

Gods above, I did that with the wipers TOO often - LOL - it is like a big neon sign that says, "TOURIST DRIVING!"

OK, so they just switch the steering wheel location and wipers/turn signals but nothing else - I'll get used to it, though having the spousal unit along to "back seat drive" will be . . . . fun?

Well, Dad always said, "There are no stupid questions, only stupid people" . . . wait, what?

Ah well, at least when someone eventually asks the same questions you all can simply say, "Ask JohnCrighton - he's already asked THAT one" LOL

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
You get the award for the most questions I have never heard asked on the internet before!

Truth is you will get used to it, you may jam a gear here and there, but ... hey, it's a rental! Who cares!

Gears are one thing. It's those dang right hand turns that get me!

By the way, that is my favorite Roosevelt quote in your sig line.

Here on St. Thomas we drive on the left side of the road and while most vehicles are left hand drive we have one landrover pickup with right hand drive. the hardest thing to get into your head is you are shifting with your left hand, other than that you should have no problems.

quote:

Originally posted by JohnCrighton:
Ah well, at least when someone eventually asks the same questions you all can simply say, "Ask JohnCrighton - he's already asked THAT one" LOL

I didn't have too much trouble shifting...the wifers were always going on though. Remember at all corners if your wife was in the passenger seat...."keep the bitch in the ditch" and you'll navigate fine.

the chef

Forward gear layout is always the same but reverse gear varies by manufacturer...... however, can I point out that whilst you guys might drive on the right side of the road, we drive on the correct side of the road.

quote:

Originally posted by calgarychef1:
I didn't have too much trouble shifting...the wifers were always going on though. Remember at all corners if your wife was in the passenger seat...."keep the bitch in the ditch" and you'll navigate fine.

the chef

Yeah, I'm sure that one will go over REAL well with my wife - LOL.

Confirmed that gearboxes come in one flavour only, and I've never come across a car with a different gear shift pattern.

As Steve points out, the reverse can be in a different position depending on manufacturers.

Now, Steve, on all the roads I've ever come across there are two sides, and two only.

If one is the Right side, it comes to sense that the other one is the Wrong side. Quod erat demonstrandum.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
Forward gear layout is always the same but reverse gear varies by manufacturer...... however, can I point out that whilst you guys might drive on the right side of the road, we drive on the correct side of the road.

Once you learn to drive a vehicle with a manual transmission you can drive an automatic - unfortunately it doesn't work the lazy way round.

I so glad I'm not the only one who has had this same thing happen wipers are a pain when your shifting from 4th. to reverse OHHHHHHyour not to do that!!!!!

If you think driving a right hand drive car in Africa is a difficulty you should have a right hand drive in the US. Had a Lotus for some years in California and believe you it is an experience that makes Africa a piece of cake. Passing on a busy two lane road is an experience you have to live thru to appreciate.

A big left hand drive truck on African roads ain't easy either.

Did the old lady get a new paint and some extra? Looks much shinier than last time I saw her!

Nice job!

No new paint but she'd just been washed and polished......... she scrubs up nice huh?

I can't remember if you saw the latest addition, but in case you didn't........

I have been driving rental cars in Ireland a few times, and as a "right side driver" the main problem was roundabouts and the gearshift.

The gear box has the same configuration as many have stated, but I tended to slip into 3. gear instead of 1. quite so often, with a stalled car as a result

In my own car I pull the lever towards me to get in 1. gear, but on the cars with the steering wheel on the right hand side, one have to push the lever over to the left to engage the 1. gear.

After a little while it did work out quite well, and when we put a small Norwegian flag in the rear window, people just waved and smiled when we stalled in traffic ligt or junction...

The gearbox you can get over by hiring an auto transmission, but the problem I have with driving on the wrong side of the road is turning across the traffic and roundabouts.

Steve,

That bike was not there last time, I sure would remember... Nice classic! You're lucky to live in a place were they have good roads (well, "still have")!

Hi Phillip

I'm thinking of adding a 650 BSA Rocket Gold Star and a Kawa Z900 to the collection but we're also thinking of moving down to KZN where the roads are nowhere near as good, so it's really one thing or the other........ time will tell I guess!!