Driving in Europe - Assistance needed

[Muck308 55]

I am from the States... where we drive on the right as you all know. I am going to a family reunion next month in Ireland. I am the only one in my family who can drive a standard transmission so in the interest of saving money, we rented a stick instead of an automatic. However, I have some questions. (btw we rented a Ford Focus... if that helps.)

1. Is the pedal setup the same as it is in the US? With the clutch on the left, brake in the middle, and accelerator on the right?

2. Are the gears on the shifter set up the same way too? I know there are two standard formats, but usually first is on the top left, with second below that, then third on top in the middle, and so forth. 

I guess that's it... if anyone in Europe drives a focus, they might be able to give me a better answer for the second question. This will be fun b/c I am not left handed, so hopefully I don't downshift from 5th to 2nd at any point.

I tried to tell my dad to drive and work the clutch, and I could shift from the passenger side. HA! He didn't go for it. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Aontan 0]

I'm only a learner driver, but to answer your questions:

1. Yes, it's CBA.

2. Yes, 1 = top left, 2 = bottom left,  3 = top middle, 4 = bottom middle, 5 = top right, 6 (rare) = bottom left. R (Reverse) can be either where 6 is or to the left of 1. I'm not sure for a Ford Focus, unfortunately. It's easy for me and I'm not left-handed, so don't worry too much about it.

Don't forget to stay on the left side of the road, it's easy to forget in quiet rural areas.

Road signs are also bilingual and in metric units - distances in kilometres and speed limits in km/h.

Good luck and enjoy yourself!

[Renas 0]

Godd Luck from me

[Renas 0]

Godd Luck from me

[Meg 368]

I can't help you with the arrangement of the pedals and gears but I can tell you to be particularly alert when you go around a corner.   

It is easy to turn a corner and automatically go to the right side of the road. Over there, that is a good way to get into a head-on collision.

Every corner, every time, imagine that the Simtropolis bunny is sitting on your shoulder, hitting you on the ear, screaming "Left side!  Left side!"

[Muck308 55]

Thanks a lot everyone... I look forward to tearing ass around the Irish country side. Look for me, I'll be the one blasting Del out the windows. Actually, I'm gonna keep my mouth shut, music low, and nose clean. You can't go ruffling feathers in another country. I will remember the bun bun. Thanks again.

[toxicpiano 125]

In Ireland on some of the motorways there are signs telling you to drive on the left in German.

[hamsterTK 93]

Don't run over any sheep

[krbe 193]

Originally posted by: toxicpiano In Ireland on some of the motorways there are signs telling you to drive on the left in German.quote>

Achtung Links?

[belfastuniguy 18]

In Ireland on some of the motorways there are signs telling you to drive on the left in German.quote>

LOL I haven't seen any..

Driving in Ireland is not that bad, depends where your going as some Gaelic areas do not have road signs in English, which is rather annoying at times.

Otherwise you'll be fine and enjoy our beautiful country

[Aontan 0]

Originally posted by: krbe

Originally posted by: toxicpiano In Ireland on some of the motorways there are signs telling you to drive on the left in German.quote>

Achtung Links? quote>

 

You're close! They're near airports, seaports, tourist attractions and around some cities and towns.

I've never seen them on motorways though - that'd be kind of pointless...

[Zelgadis 638]

All the things you mentioned are the same. (I drove in Japan, which is just like Ireland, in that respect.)

But there's one other important and maddening difference.

The windshield wiper and turn signal are reversed. I can't tell you how many times I've turned on my wipers when I just wanted to make a simple turn...

ISF

[Cockatoo 2,257]

Originally posted by: hamsterTK Don't run over any sheep

quote>

You're thinking of New Zealand...

[Hamish 1,370]

Originally posted by: Cockatoo-210893

Originally posted by: hamsterTK Don't run over any sheep

quote>

You're thinking of New Zealand...

quote>

Oooh, them be fighting words...


_{(Im a New Zealander)}

[BurroDiablo 222]

Originally posted by: zelgadis All the things you mentioned are the same. (I drove in Japan, which is just like Ireland, in that respect.)

But there's one other important and maddening difference.

The windshield wiper and turn signal are reversed. I can't tell you how many times I've turned on my wipers when I just wanted to make a simple turn...

ISF

quote>

My workplaces Company Subaru is the same... it has the indicators and wipers on opposite sides to what i'm used to, so I was flicking the wipers on going around corners

It might not have anything to do with what country your in, just the car you drive. Then again, you drove in Japan, I was driving a Japanese car... you do the maths

[Cockatoo 2,257]

Originally posted by: hamish

Originally posted by: Cockatoo-210893

Originally posted by: hamsterTK Don't run over any sheep

quote>

You're thinking of New Zealand...

quote>

Oooh, them be fighting words...

_{(Im a New Zealander)}quote>

Oh, my bad. Sorry, I didn't know they had the internet in New Zealand yet.

_{Note to Abcvs: Yes, you probably want to ban me right about now. Please note this is a joke meant in the friendliest manner, I'm not stirring up trouble or trying to bash our good neighbour NZ, just a friendly Aussie / Kiwi rivalry thing, as you understand.}

[toxicpiano 125]

people keep telling me that NZ is like England in the 1950's is it true?

[Hamish 1,370]

I wasn't alive in England in the 50's. So what do you mean? what area of english life in the 50's would be like New Zealand?

Its a beautiful place over here, but you never want to play an international sports game against NZ in hamilton, the crowd goes crazy at the opposition, especially in the cricket matches. Going back to the driving side of things. Its very hectic, people running red lights, speeding and over taking in residential areas.

My view of Left had driving, I've never driven on the right, but the left side fells better. It shouldn't be that hard to make the transition from right to left hand drive. Because if it was, everyone would drive on the same side.

I was reading

originally posted by : Muck308

This will be fun b/c I am not left handed, so hopefully I don't downshift from 5th to 2nd at any point.quote>

Isn't it hard to drive a right hand drive car? I mean, if you are right handed, having to take you more dominant hand off the wheel to change gear? Left hand drive as a right hander is easy because you have your more dominant hand on the wheel most of the time, only taking it off for the indicators or windscreen wipers (depending on where they are located on your car), and you take your left hand off to change gear. I think it would give an easier response if needed to turn suddenly with you right hand rather than left hand.
It just sounds easier to make a quicker turn with the right hand than with the left, or is that not the case and do you get used to it quickly???

[JanYpe 17]

Because if it was, everyone would drive on the same side.quote>

Everybody does. We use the right side. It's just all you crazy island dwelling types who still like the left side.

[Muck308 55]

Belfastuniguy said; Driving in Ireland is not that bad, depends where your going as some Gaelic areas do not have road signs in English, which is rather annoying at times. 

Luckily my father speaks Gaelic... so if it comes up, I am covered.

hamish said; Isn't it hard to drive a right hand drive car? I mean, if you are right handed, having to take you more dominant hand off the wheel to change gear?

I guess I figured it would be difficult b/c you can't turn the wheel improperly, it's fixed... but the shifter could go somewhere it's not suppoed to with my less dominant hand. I'll be fine I'm sure. Sometimes I just drive w/ my knees, and I'm sure a lot of you do too.

Oh, and I saw some pictures of New Zealand while on vacation in Sydney... it looked like Switzerland to me.

[Aontan 0]

If you are going anywhere in the Gaeltachtaí (Irish-speaking areas), just make sure you know the placenames in Irish as they're only shown in Irish on all roadsigns - some places are more well known by English names (like An Daingean, known in English as "Dingle").

Likewise, in Gaeltachtaí, all place names (even those outside the Gaeltacht) are shown only in Irish, so it could be good to invest in a map as well.

[Muck308 55]

I will be in County Longford most of the trip. I will spend some time in Dublin, and I think we are going to Galway as well. I speak enough Gaelic to know how to order a beer... that should be enough don't you think?

[sc4portugal 10]

In Ireland you don't need Gaelic, most Irish people dont speack it on a daliy basis (99%).

EDIT:

You probably already know the speed limits but:

50kmph/32Mph- Urban Areas

100kmph/  About 65mph- Out of town.

120kmh/74mph- Motorways.

ATTENTION:In Ireland up until 3 years ago the distances were posted in km but the speed limits in miles so if the rental car is that old (3 years) there is a possibity that the speedometre is in miles.

My family car used to be a Ford Foucus so i'll ask my dad about the gear box, because they vary alot this side of the pond.

[Muck308 55]

thanks, daniel. very helpful. You have all been very helpful.

[sc4portugal 10]

1 3 5

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2 4 R

To put in reverse on our car you had to push a circle up the gearbox and the put it into gear.

[toxicpiano 125]

Originally posted by: hamish I wasn't alive in England in the 50's. So what do you mean? what area of english life in the 50's would be like New Zealand?

Its a beautiful place over here, but you never want to play an international sports game against NZ in hamilton, the crowd goes crazy at the opposition, especially in the cricket matches. Going back to the driving side of things. Its very hectic, people running red lights, speeding and over taking in residential areas.

quote>

I think they mean that it's very quiet, with little crime and that kind of thing.

[scotty222 549]

also remember which side of the car your sitting on (sounds like stupid advice)

When i went to america last year, one time when i was driving i wasnt entirely concentrating and i put the right end of the car over the kerb because i thought i was on the right

The lesson in this is always concentrate when driving

Originally posted by: hamish

Originally posted by: Cockatoo-210893

Originally posted by: hamsterTK Don't run over any sheep

quote>

You're thinking of New Zealand...

quote>

Oooh, them be fighting words...

_{(Im a New Zealander)}quote>

C'mon Hamish we can take him

[Rymac91 15]

One thing about left hand drive cars is the wipers and turn signals are usually switched, so the turn signal is on the right side of the wheel and the wipers are on the left.

From what I know about cars, the gear shifters, and pedals are usually universally the same setup regardless to which side you drive on.

[smstevenms 7]

Originally posted by: Rymac91 One thing about left hand drive cars is the wipers and turn signals are usually switched, so the turn signal is on the right side of the wheel and the wipers are on the left.

From what I know about cars, the gear shifters, and pedals are usually universally the same setup regardless to which side you drive on.quote>

 

+1 This is the case due to the cost in manufacturing, keeps the cost down. Even if the car(s) is only sold/made for that region, it's the same, otherwise this would make things really confusing - dangerous and not likely to sell.

[Muck308 55]

I have returned. I did just fine. All in all I drove 1085 km over the Irish countryside. You were right though, Scotty222... I too couldn't get used to being in the right hand side of the lane. That first morning I got off the plane in Dublin and drove straight to Longford on the highway... I was hugging the left curb almost the whole way there. No other problems though. Thanks to all who provided helpful tips.