Hello and greetings to dear members.
I am from Indonesia and fast becoming a huge fan of this site. Despite the language barrier (I need to learn Tagalog) I have found this gem of a site to be most informative compared to other websites I've researched. The reviews and opinions I gathered have helped me a great deal in making important choices.
I plan to purchase a new car in the coming months. The posts on this board were very valuable that I am now quite certain which model to get. However there are certain details which I am still ignorant.
I am not quite sure how to explain this better as my English is inadequate. With regards to manual transmission when the ignition fails due to temporary battery failure, one can force an engine start by manually pushing the car with the gearshift at first gear. How does one achieve this with Automatic Transmission?
Second, is it fairly a myth that a manual transmission have longer durability than an automatic?
Thank You in Advance.

Welcome to sir xcoll2001! :)
What car are you planning to buy?

Hello
I was interested in the Toyota Fortuner. After the positive experience I had with a Toyota Innova, I quickly converted to the Toyota camp. Alas, my test drive of the sexy beast was less than stellar and reading posts here that reports the same experience I realized that for that premium price it may be better spent on a new Grand Vitara. Nissan X-Trail was an excellent candidate but I disliked having the console box in the center. I have yet to make a final decision though and still open to suggestions.

Welcome to sir xcol!
As for your question, you may want to read this..
taken from http://www.familycar.com/CarRepair/N...Dead%20Battery
etting a jump start:
There are a couple of ways to boost, or jump start a car with a dead battery. You can get a Battery Booster Box, which is readily available in stores that sell automotive parts and accessories. This is a device with a rechargeable battery in it that has two large clamps that are used to connect to the dead battery. These booster boxes are recharged by plugging them into a regular wall outlet to keep them ready for use at a moment's notice. Many of them also have an air compressor that can be used to inflate your tires, and a search light to provide emergency light on the side of the road
The other way is to use another car and connect its good battery to the dead battery using Jumper Cables. It is important to use good quality cables when trying to boost a car with a dead battery. Using thin, cheap cables may not allow sufficient amperage through. Furthermore, they can get very hot and fail, possibly causing serious burns or even fire.
When shopping for booster cables, look for heavy cable with insulated wire that is at least 6 gauge, with 4 gauge being better. (the lower the cable gauge, the thicker the wire). Make sure that the wire goes all the way through the clamp and is connected directly to the jaw. If the wire is connected only to the clamp grip, do not buy it. Good jumper cables will cost more than $20 with professional quality cables costing $30 or more. There are plenty of cables that cost as little as $5 to $10. Stay away from those.
Booster cables have one black clamp on each end of one of the wires and a colored clamp, usually red or yellow, on each end of the other cable. When connecting the cable clamps to a battery, it is imperative that you always clamp the positive clamp (Red) to the positive terminal (+) and the negative clamp (Black) to the negative terminal (-)
i find it very useful when the need arises.. helped me more than 4 times already. Hope that helps!

Second, is it fairly a myth that a manual transmission have longer durability than an automatic?
Thank You in Advance. Manual tranny has less component,mechanism to maintain than automatic.If you properly maintain an automatic and drive it properly it will last.

I am not quite sure how to explain this better as my English is inadequate. With regards to manual transmission when the ignition fails due to temporary battery failure, one can force an engine start by manually pushing the car with the gearshift at first gear. How does one achieve this with Automatic Transmission?
You can't push-start an A/T. Its either you buy a new battery or have it towed.
Booster cables have one black clamp on each end of one of the wires and a colored clamp, usually red or yellow, on each end of the other cable. When connecting the cable clamps to a battery, it is imperative that you always clamp the positive clamp (Red) to the positive terminal (+) and the negative clamp (Black) to the negative terminal (-) Is this true? Car manuals do NOT recommend kasi putting the negative clamp of the cable directly to the negative terminal of the battery

welcome to , xcoll!
given that you are choosing between the fortuner and grand vitara, if you're not worried about the price of gas, then go for the grand vitara...it has that hard-edged high-tech look while the fortuner (no offense to fortuner owners, this is just my opinion) looks bloated fat in comparison. then again, only the fortuner has the option for diesel engines.
when the ignition fails due to temporary battery failure, one can force an engine start by manually pushing the car with the gearshift at first gear. How does one achieve this with Automatic Transmission? like mentioned earlier, you can't do the same with an AT. you'll have to replace the battery before you can safely start the AT-equipped car again.
Second, is it fairly a myth that a manual transmission have longer durability than an automatic? it's a myth alright. :D but then again, abuse a manual transmission and it can fail spectacularly early, like some Lancer Evo owners in the US. it's just that repairing MTs are easier than ATs and less costly as well due to less parts to break.

Welcome to sir xcol!
As for your question, you may want to read this..
i find it very useful when the need arises.. helped me more than 4 times already. Hope that helps!
Hi Kiper,- can you kindly recommend stores here in the Philippines where I can buy this? Also, how much, please?
Does this work for diesel engine(Starex 2.5L TCI), too?
I imagine that I need to recharge this every so often to maintain the battery, how often?
My rides are ATs, so I'd rather be self-sustaining. TIA.

Should work on diesels.
Personally, I'd rather buy a good set of jumper cables. No maintenance kung baga. If you need a boost, just ask a taxi driver or any car owner for help.

Should work on diesels.
Personally, I'd rather buy a good set of jumper cables. No maintenance kung baga. If you need a boost, just ask a taxi driver or any car owner for help. Thank you for your input. And yes, I have the jumper cables for our AT vehicles, just in case (and a plan to hail a taxi for help in that eventuality.. hehehe)...
Anyway, I just want to have a peek at that option.

Thank you for your input. And yes, I have the jumper cables for our AT vehicles, just in case (and a plan to hail a taxi for help in that eventuality.. hehehe)...
Anyway, I just want to have a peek at that option. i think i'll have to consider that booster battery as well...the pajero's been going through batteries (4 batteries in over 4 years) like cookie monster in a cookie shop. :lol: minsan kasi naiiwanan bukas ang lights, radio on with the engine off...and so on. :twak2:

Should work on diesels.

Personally, I'd rather buy a good set of jumper cables. No maintenance kung baga. If you need a boost, just ask a taxi driver or any car owner for help. If it's a diesel that needs to be jumped, ask a truck driver that has a diesel too. They need lots of power to start the diesel engine. A normal taxi with gas engines usually aren't enough.

And if you have a diesel, get the thicker gauge wire jumper cables. The thin ones restrict it too much kaya it won't do.

A/T's are easy enough to jump start.
For diesels, you need the proper cables. I burned through my crappy ones. You should ask help from another diesel engined vehicle (they're pretty easy to find).

Hello
This is fantastic, thanks to all of you for the helpful replies. I was struggling to make a decision whether I'd go for an automatic or a manual. I think I am at this age now where i prefer easy, relax driving. Also, where I live, the traffic congestion is one of the worst in the world.
Kiper: Thank you for the link! I am printing that page and going to make a little booklet to put in my car. Googling for Battery Booster I got the name Jump-N-Carry. It comes in various model starting with 1100 peak amps and for trucks with 3400 peak amps. Price ranges from $160 to $400.
Black and Decker also manufactures Battery Booster.
Thanks.