fintip wrote:
Just wanted to add, I found out the manual xterra does have a lower tow rating, it's 3500 for the standard and 5k for the automatic.
It IS "normal" for a "standard" or manual transmission vehicle to be derated. The explanation given to me by a few techs was due to folks burning up clutches. The clutches are the weak point and attempting to start on a steep grade with a heavy load will often result in clutch slipping when feathering in and out.
You ARE better off with a automatic, they are far superior now days in reliability, longevity and even fuel mileage when compared to transmissions built in the 1990s or before.
Most automatic transmissions will have no problem with exceeding 200,000 miles of operation.
I know, there are a lot of folks who still hug their hand shaker and feel they are better in mileage and towing power but in reality modern automatics have pretty much made standard transmissions go by the way of the dinosaurs..
