Turn signal stalk on wrong side of the steering wheel!

[Thailandsupra]

Ok, so maybe I'm a complete outlier here, but I have an a91 6MT RHD model (I live in Thailand) and it's driving me nuts that Toyota used the same steering wheel for the RHD 6MT cars as they did for the 8hp auto cars. The reason this is an issue is because RHD cars always have the turn signal stalk on the RIGHT side of the steering wheel. However, my steering wheel has the turn signal stalk on the LEFT side of the wheel and, therefore, using it interferes with the shifting motion because you have to take your hand off the shifter to use the turn signals. It's really a stupid oversight on their part.

Anyone other RHD owners feel this way? Has anyone found a compatible part that would allow for the swapping out of the ring and stalks so the turn signal stalk is on the correct side of the wheel for a RHD manual car (the right side)???

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[BMWAF]

Ok, so maybe I'm a complete outlier here, but I have an a91 6MT RHD model (I live in Thailand) and it's driving me nuts that Toyota used the same steering wheel for the RHD 6MT cars as they did for the 8hp auto cars. The reason this is an issue is because RHD cars always have the turn signal stalk on the RIGHT side of the steering wheel. However, my steering wheel has the turn signal stalk on the LEFT side of the wheel and, therefore, using it interferes with the shifting motion because you have to take your hand off the shifter to use the turn signals. It's really a stupid oversight on their part.

Anyone other RHD owners feel this way? Has anyone found a compatible part that would allow for the swapping out of the ring and stalks so the turn signal stalk is on the correct side of the wheel for a RHD manual car (the right side)???

Australia is the same. When we had locally manufactured cars the turn signals would always be on the right hand side but now it depends on how invested the manufacturer is in RHD vehicles. Most, if not all European sold here have backwards indicator stalks here as you describe. You get used to it. ?

 

[Thailandsupra]

Australia is the same. When we had locally manufactured cars the turn signals would always be on the right hand side but now it depends on how invested the manufacturer is in RHD vehicles. Most, if not all European sold here have backwards indicator stalks here as you describe. You get used to it. ?

I'd be fine with it if I had the auto trans. In the case of the MT it really is suboptimal.

 

[razorlab]

It's a BMW, no turn signals needed, or expected.

 

[BMWAF]

I'd be fine with it if I had the auto trans. In the case of the MT it really is suboptimal.

Meh. I've been driving a Type R with this setup for 17 years and once you get used to it, it's really a non-issue. The biggest problem is when you are regularly switching between cars with opposing stalk setups, you need to accept that you will hit the wipers instead of the indicators from time to time.. and vice-versa.

And don't tell the auto boys, they think the whole transmission is suboptimal. ?

 

[Thailandsupra]

Meh. I've been driving a Type R with this setup for 17 years and once you get used to it, it's really a non-issue. The biggest problem is when you are regularly switching between cars with opposing stalk setups, you need to accept that you will hit the wipers instead of the indicators from time to time.. and vice-versa.

And don't tell the auto boys, they think the whole transmission is suboptimal. ?

Actually, I wanted the auto because I put the 8hp70 in my mk4 and it is amazing. But, this is the one that was available here in Thailand (very few a90s here), so I settled for the MT. My mk4 does have the turn signal stalk on the correct side of the steering wheel (the right)

 

[BMWAF]

Actually, I wanted the auto because I put the 8hp70 in my mk4 and it is amazing. But, this is the one that was available here in Thailand (very few a90s here), so I settled for the MT. My mk4 does have the turn signal stalk on the correct side of the steering wheel (the right)

 

[lucky phil]

Ok, so maybe I'm a complete outlier here, but I have an a91 6MT RHD model (I live in Thailand) and it's driving me nuts that Toyota used the same steering wheel for the RHD 6MT cars as they did for the 8hp auto cars. The reason this is an issue is because RHD cars always have the turn signal stalk on the RIGHT side of the steering wheel. However, my steering wheel has the turn signal stalk on the LEFT side of the wheel and, therefore, using it interferes with the shifting motion because you have to take your hand off the shifter to use the turn signals. It's really a stupid oversight on their part.

Anyone other RHD owners feel this way? Has anyone found a compatible part that would allow for the swapping out of the ring and stalks so the turn signal stalk is on the correct side of the wheel for a RHD manual car (the right side)???

yea I agree. On an auto no biggie but on the manual it's a bit of a PITA. You need to get the indicator selection done a bit to early so it doesn't impact the downshifting. Mind you the application of the indicator here is pretty much a "celebration" of the decision to make a turn more than an actual indication of your intention. Usually happens so late it's pointless. My wife drives like this on freeways. Instead of using the indicator as a signal of intent to change lanes and then giving other drivers the opportunity to help you out by making a space she drives along waiting for a gap or varying her speed trying to create one without the indicator on trying create one herself. I tell her if she just lets people know what your intentions are maybe they'll work with you so you can get the lane change done.
At least I've got her out of the habit of applying the brakes for EVERY bend in the road! No longer a "bend braker" thank god.
Phil

 

[Thailandsupra]

yea I agree. On an auto no biggie but on the manual it's a bit of a PITA. You need to get the indicator selection done a bit to early so it doesn't impact the downshifting. Mind you the application of the indicator here is pretty much a "celebration" of the decision to make a turn more than an actual indication of your intention. Usually happens so late it's pointless. My wife drives like this on freeways. Instead of using the indicator as a signal of intent to change lanes and then giving other drivers the opportunity to help you out by making a space she drives along waiting for a gap or varying her speed trying to create one without the indicator on trying create one herself. I tell her if she just lets people know what your intentions are maybe they'll work with you so you can get the lane change done.
At least I've got her out of the habit of applying the brakes for EVERY bend in the road! No longer a "bend braker" thank god.
Phil

Here in Thailand drivers are incredibly inconsiderate of others and it is extremely dangerous to drive... to the point where you have to always be hyper aware of your surroundings. The motorbikes trying to squeeze thru traffic are almost impossible to see. When you add on top of this the awful visibility in the Supra to the driving conditions, it makes it evermore important to signal your intent. Will other drivers/riders heed your indicator warning? Maybe not, but at least it's an added safety precaution to protect them and the car.

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