Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   Europe (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/)
-   -   Which foot runs the gas pedal (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/which-foot-runs-the-gas-pedal-692808/)

okminty Mar 31st, 2007 03:44 PM

Which foot runs the gas pedal
 
I am going to the UK and will rent a car there. I know the steering wheel is on the opposite side and thus one would have to shift with ones left hand. My question is have they also reversed the pedals so that one needs to accelerate with the left foot and brake and shift with the right. May sound stupid but I think that would make a big difference on whether to get a manual or automatic car.

Rastaguytoday Mar 31st, 2007 03:47 PM

The answer is NO.

nukesafe Mar 31st, 2007 03:52 PM

The pedals are arranged just like any other car; just transposed from the left to the right side of the vehicle. The gear stick is on your left. The gear pattern is still the same as you are used to. The only difficulty is getting your left hand to do the shifting. For the first little bit, you have to think about it -- and this may result in some "coffee grinding" noises on occasion.

No problem. You will do fine.

:-)

RM67 Mar 31st, 2007 04:03 PM

There shouldn't be any 'coffee grinding' noises if you've got the clutch down!!!!!

The position of reverse varies from manufacturer to manufacturer as well.

Budman Mar 31st, 2007 04:47 PM

Same as in the U.S. except you shift with your left hand. I had problems finding reverse. I was thinking push down or pull up, but it was that darn ring at the base of the shift knob. :-) ((b))

azzure Mar 31st, 2007 05:00 PM

I had no problems at all shifting with the left hand -- of course, I am left-handed, so maybe that helped!

nytraveler Mar 31st, 2007 05:05 PM

Gas and brake pedals are in the same relationship. Unless you drive a standrd all the time do yourself a favor and rent an automatic. (Gear shift patterns are NOT all the same - and unless you're driving standard every day - I believe less than 15% in the US - doing it lefty can be very traumatic.)

okminty Mar 31st, 2007 06:39 PM

Thanks for all the advise. Look for me tooling down M4 on my way to Windsor on that Tuesday night in May. Then again if you hear of a mojor tie up on that road you may know who to blame

Peace

okminty

icithecat Mar 31st, 2007 07:09 PM

Gear boxes are spring loaded to the three/four slot to prevent you from accelerating from one to two to ONE. This means you have to physically push left to get from one to two and not end up going from one to four. Since I am used to older machinery, that caught me unawares the first time.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:31 AM.