15 replies to this topic

[Jeffreypang911]

Hello,

Looking around for Indicator stalks as mine went bottoms up.

But noticed some local cars here in Canada imported from Japan are RHD But have the turning signal on the left? So what gives, I though all RHD cars had their turning signal stalk on the right side, opposite of the LHD cars found in Germany and North America?

So my question is if you live in England (Which I suspect most of you do...) what side is the signal and what side is the wiper?
Jeff

[mab01uk]

UK (RHD) is same as Japan (RHD) with modern cars and the later Mini's having the indicator arm on the left. The UK used to have most cars (including Mini's) with them on the right but this changed (can't remember exactly when in 1970's or 80's) to the left, I guess to bring us inline with the more common LHD countries. I remember finding it awkward at first because your gearchange hand had to do the indicators as well but never crosses my mind now......until you mentioned it.

Edited by mab01uk, 02 November 2011 - 08:56 AM.

[Wil_h]

I think that if you have an automatic it makes no differance which side the indicator stalk is on. But on a manual it's preferable to have it on the same side as the gear stick.

Basically, the way I see it, is that with the stalk on the same side as the gearstick you can steer, change gear and indicate with ease. With it on the opposite side of the steering wheel a certain amount of hand-swapping is needed to get the job done.

My early 1275gt and a '93 subaru legacy I had had the indicator stalk opposite to the gear stick and it was just a pain, especially on roundabouts.

As almost all cars are now built this way, the ergernomic guys at all car manufacturers must agree.

[reallybig]

got a suzuki swift and love the indicator on the right (rhd car) is better as can drive round roundabouts while indicating and changing gear all at the same time

[mab01uk]

As almost all cars are now built this way, the ergernomic guys at all car manufacturers must agree.

The majority of cars manufactured and countries in the world are LHD...........therefore if it was ever done for better ergonomics it is for the far bigger LHD market.

Edited by mab01uk, 02 November 2011 - 06:51 PM.

[TfcIan]

got a suzuki swift and love the indicator on the right (rhd car) is better as can drive round roundabouts while indicating and changing gear all at the same time

What if somebody throws a water bomb on your windscreen at the same time?

I never knew indicator stalks used to be on the right. I guess you learn something new every day

[Tamworthbay]

I drive Mini and Passat with it on left and MGB-Gt with it on the right. The MGB was the first Right side one I had driven for ages and immediately it felt 'right'. Much better for signalling whilst changing gear and generally. The left ones now feel awkward in comparison and I plan to change the Mini over when all the other jobs are finished.

[Claibo]

I too have a suzuki swift and my mini's indicator stalk is on the right, I much prefer driving this way, I too like to do everything at once like as mentioned before, steering, changing gear and indicating all at once.

[Wil_h]

I too have a suzuki swift and my mini's indicator stalk is on the right, I much prefer driving this way, I too like to do everything at once like as mentioned before, steering, changing gear and indicating all at once.

I don't know how this is possible on a roundabout? my right hand is steering and thus nowhere near the stalks, but my left hand is free to operate gears and indicators whenever required. How can you steer and indicate with the same hand? You can surely only operate the stalks when going straight?

[Down&Out]

I learned in a car with them on the left, most cars do have them on the left, older ones dont, and my mini doesnt, so every time i try and signal i turn the wipers on.

Its rather undignified! ahaha.

[mab01uk]

I too have a suzuki swift and my mini's indicator stalk is on the right, I much prefer driving this way, I too like to do everything at once like as mentioned before, steering, changing gear and indicating all at once.

I don't know how this is possible on a roundabout? my right hand is steering and thus nowhere near the stalks, but my left hand is free to operate gears and indicators whenever required. How can you steer and indicate with the same hand? You can surely only operate the stalks when going straight?

So would you not be able to drive a LHD hire car on holiday in mainland Europe then?

Edited by mab01uk, 03 November 2011 - 12:08 AM.

[CLM]

It was probably just manufacturers getting lazy and not making separate parts for left and right drive cars. All the lefties I drive in the states has the indicator stalks on the left of the steering wheel towards the outside of the car. Easy enough to just tag with my fingers as I am driving even while I am shifting with my right hand.

I think the manufacturers just got lazy.

Chris

[Dolly 89]

I used to drive a Hyudia Getz and the indaicators where on the right side, i much prefer it to left hand side but i suppose its personnal opinion

[Claibo]

I learnt to drive in a VW Polo, and until I got my Suzuki Swift having an indicator stalk on the left was fine, but when I got used to my Swift I found that if I was in a panic to change gear and indicate in the Polo my right hand would try and flick the indicator on the left... Needless to say my right hand likes to do the indicators

As for managing to do it all at once, if you're steering left, you pass the indicator to turn left so as my hand passes it by my fingers just clip it as I steer, and vice versa for turning right, if the stalk was on the left, I would have to either indicate before the gear change or after, as my hand can't do both at once.

[Wil_h]

I too have a suzuki swift and my mini's indicator stalk is on the right, I much prefer driving this way, I too like to do everything at once like as mentioned before, steering, changing gear and indicating all at once.

I don't know how this is possible on a roundabout? my right hand is steering and thus nowhere near the stalks, but my left hand is free to operate gears and indicators whenever required. How can you steer and indicate with the same hand? You can surely only operate the stalks when going straight?

So would you not be able to drive a LHD hire car on holiday in mainland Europe then?

Almost definately, but I've never had the need to, I just take my own car. But as it'd be all-to-******* anyway and for a short period you'd just get on with, ocasionally shouting at the car. I have no recolection of what side the indicators were on when I was in Canada, but it was an auto, so it was never an issue.

All I'm saying, is that after driving cars for 20 years with indicators on both sides, with it on the same side as the gear stick I have never had to struggle to indicate off aroundabout, or at any time. But with them on the right I have. and I don't see how using your hands (other than swapping them over a lot) will ever resolve the problem.

As said personal preference.