First driving lesson next week!! Yayyy

[j2k4]

In fact what i always thought was that most car's parking brakes don't even work (My dad's old car's parking brake was weak but was a manual so i guess he had to have it working somewhat, my dad's van has a broken parking brake [can't even push down the pedal ], and the parking brake in my van doesn't hold the car)

Parking brakes in northern climes are usually road-salted to a fare-thee-well by the time they're a year or two old; the actuating cables become corroded and seizure-prone.

I know this accounts for some of the lack of use.

[clocker]

No idea about a manual though, never even tried it, so I have no idea what balancing the clutch/accelerator means (probably won't until i actually try).

It's quite simple (in theory, at least).
The clutch is the interface between the engine's power output (i.e., the crankshaft) and the transmission.
When the clutch pedal is pushed in, the transmission is disconnected, let the pedal out and the transmission is engaged.
This is accomplished through two plates (keep in mind this is a very simplified explanation) and friction.
The point when both plates start to spin as one (thus, transferring power to the wheels) is called the "engagement point" and can be felt through the pedal.

"Balancing on the clutch" involves simultaneously holding the clutch on the beginning edge of engagement while feeding just enough gas so the car neither rolls back or moves forward.
It's definitely a "feel" thing that must be acquired/honed but becomes second nature (much like riding a bicycle) after a short while.

Poorly done (symptomized by high revs and seesawing back and fro) this is bad for the clutch system.
Done properly, the clutch facing will wear more quickly than if not done at all but in my experience, not enough to really matter.
After all, clutches are considered "consumables" just like brake pads- they are designed to wear as they are being used.

[lynx]

In fact what i always thought was that most car's parking brakes don't even work (My dad's old car's parking brake was weak but was a manual so i guess he had to have it working somewhat, my dad's van has a broken parking brake [can't even push down the pedal ], and the parking brake in my van doesn't hold the car)

Parking brakes in northern climes are usually road-salted to a fare-thee-well by the time they're a year or two old; the actuating cables become corroded and seizure-prone.

I know this accounts for some of the lack of use.

Maybe it's the lack of use that makes them seizure-prone?

In the UK vehicles have an annual test starting at 3 years old, any such corrosion or ineffective action would be an immediate fail.

[clocker]

In the UK vehicles have an annual test starting at 3 years old, any such corrosion or ineffective action would be an immediate fail.

In the US, auto "safety tests" (or utter lack thereof) are the province of the individual states.
In Colorado for instance, I must pass an emissions test every year but the actual physical condition of the car is unexamined.
Other states have more stringent requirements, some of which probably approach/equal what you are used to.

[Virtualbody1234]

Parking brakes in northern climes are usually road-salted to a fare-thee-well by the time they're a year or two old; the actuating cables become corroded and seizure-prone.

I know this accounts for some of the lack of use.

I drive in northern climate with road salt for many months each year. My 19 year old Honda still has a perfectly functioning parking brake (original cables). So from my perspective, I don't get where you're coming from.

[j2k4]

Parking brakes in northern climes are usually road-salted to a fare-thee-well by the time they're a year or two old; the actuating cables become corroded and seizure-prone.

I know this accounts for some of the lack of use.

I drive in northern climate with road salt for many months each year. My 19 year old Honda still has a perfectly functioning parking brake (original cables). So from my perspective, I don't get where you're coming from.

Two things:

1. I am sure you use your parking brake.

I never said it wasn't a good habit, and in this case it pays dividends in inclement conditions.

2. Honda pays more attention to engineering and generally uses superior materials.

Also, as Clocker points out, individual states may subject the parking brake to a periodic functionality test, which incentivizes owners to maintain their hardware.

In places where expectations are low, hardware performance suffers.

[j2k4]

Parking brakes in northern climes are usually road-salted to a fare-thee-well by the time they're a year or two old; the actuating cables become corroded and seizure-prone.

I know this accounts for some of the lack of use.

Maybe it's the lack of use that makes them seizure-prone?

Exactly.

Saw this late, sorry.

[MagicNakor]

It's both, or so they told me when my car's parking brake wouldn't budge. Didn't have winter tires, and since I couldn't afford them, my car sat unused for the winter. Evidentially the combination creates a scenario where it both rusts over and freezes up.

GM's cars, especially Pontiacs, are particularly prone to it.

And to think you get this knowledge without having to be towed out of a tree-lined ditch and into the city.

[lynx]

It's both, or so they told me when my car's parking brake wouldn't budge. Didn't have winter tires, and since I couldn't afford them, my car sat unused for the winter. Evidentially the combination creates a scenario where it both rusts over and freezes up.

GM's cars, especially Pontiacs, are particularly prone to it.

Strange, that used to be the case with GM cars over here too (though they weren't alone).

Until they realised that their sales were being dramatically affected by the fact that people no longer wanted to buy something that would be a rusting hulk within a couple of years.

You would have thought the parent company would have heard about it by now. Or maybe it's just that over there you don't mind having a pile of rust in your driveway.

[MagicNakor]

There must be a fabulous wealth of high-quality used cars over there. There's only so much choice one gets here with no transportation and limited cash.