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I personally would like to learn manual someday but our vehicles lack it. In addition I don't see much need for it. I know a buddy who owns the same year Ford Explorer as I do and it is much the same except he uses a manual transmission.

Between the two of us(and he does have quite a bit of experience with manual) I get the better gas mileage despite the fact that I tend to handle heavier loads[he uses a truck for heavy loads].


The extra control would be a nice bonus at times, and it shouldn't distract enough of my attention to warrant concern.

As for RPM's my I rarely get my ford explorer even when hauling 2000 lbs of sand in it over 2500 or RPMs. Speaking of RPM's I was always curious what Automatics use to decide to shift. My explorer doesn't seem to use RPMs soley. It seems to use a mix of speed+RPM's+some third factor I have yet to find.
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