The Indicator Stalk Thread

[Cossor]

OK
Holden imported the Astra. The indicator stalk placed on left hand side. (Drove Astra for a while. Plenty of wiper action at first!)
And good old dyed in the wool 100% Ausie Holden did not consider it a sales advantage to change stalk position.
Question. Does VW export to Asian countries? Especially Japan? So wonder if this is an issue there?

BTW How about position of hand brake and method of operation in some cars?
Just yesterday witnessed driver chasing his car down hill from where correctly parked on side of street. (He just made it)
I was about to congratulate him on his burst of speed as I walked by, then noticed there was an elderly male passenger sitting in the front seat.
Woops!! Did the passenger touch something?

[pologti18t]

OK
Holden imported the Astra. The indicator stalk placed on left hand side. (Drove Astra for a while. Plenty of wiper action at first!)
And good old dyed in the wool 100% Ausie Holden did not consider it a sales advantage to change stalk position.
Question. Does VW export to Asian countries? Especially Japan? So wonder if this is an issue there?

:

The last AStra (AH) did indeed have the indicator moved to the right hand side.

The previous euro built astras had the indicators on the left side. Funnily enough it was the 1998-2004 model (left side indicator) that was the biggest seller

[rs73]

OK
Holden imported the Astra. The indicator stalk placed on left hand side. (Drove Astra for a while. Plenty of wiper action at first!)
And good old dyed in the wool 100% Ausie Holden did not consider it a sales advantage to change stalk position.
Question. Does VW export to Asian countries? Especially Japan? So wonder if this is an issue there?

BTW How about position of hand brake and method of operation in some cars?
Just yesterday witnessed driver chasing his car down hill from where correctly parked on side of street. (He just made it)
I was about to congratulate him on his burst of speed as I walked by, then noticed there was an elderly male passenger sitting in the front seat.
Woops!! Did the passenger touch something?

coreying,

we need another thread on handbrake position where people can argue to the death about the most optimal positioning of the handbrake levers and how it increases road toll when not positioned correctly...

[Corey_R]

Or god forbid, is a button on the dash on the right hand side of the steering wheel like it is in the Passat CC!

[mfl]

coreying,

we need another thread on handbrake position where people can argue to the death about the most optimal positioning of the handbrake levers and how it increases road toll when not positioned correctly...

of course we would need to include foot operated handbrakes (parking brake ?) as well for that discussion.

but back onto indicators, I saw the Top Gear test on the Ferrari Italia, where both stalks have been removed to allow for the positioning of the paddles for the DSG, and the indicators are a button on either side of the steering wheel - solves that issue.

[hooba]

New Honda CR-Z and Ferrari 458 Italia

[rs73]

wtf.... is that a car, or the USS Starship Enterprise?

[Corey_R]

but back onto indicators, I saw the Top Gear test on the Ferrari Italia, where both stalks have been removed to allow for the positioning of the paddles for the DSG, and the indicators are a button on either side of the steering wheel - solves that issue.

Actually, Jeremy wrote an entire column on how much he hates the indicators and how stupid their design is. His issue is that steering wheel moves too much and the indicators are never where your hands are..... but from watching many hours of Jeremy driving, he doesn't drive in 9-3 position with hands stationary on the wheel, so this assessment isn't a surprise. Considering most drivers are not race-drivers and are not taught 9-3 hand position etc, I'd say it'd create as many complaints as indicator on the left

[Ryan_R]

I didn't think you'd need indicators if you drove a Ferrari Italia... assuming it's not on fire.

[mfl]

Actually, Jeremy wrote an entire column on how much he hates the indicators and how stupid their design is. His issue is that steering wheel moves too much and the indicators are never where your hands are..... but from watching many hours of Jeremy driving, he doesn't drive in 9-3 position with hands stationary on the wheel, so this assessment isn't a surprise. Considering most drivers are not race-drivers and are not taught 9-3 hand position etc, I'd say it'd create as many complaints as indicator on the left

Yes you are right coreying, Jeremy made the same comment on the show, I was only referring to what side the stalk was on, but of course I wouldn't mind an Italia for a few days to try it out for myself, ....as long a I had a couple of fire extinguishers with me.