When I drive at speeds of about 30mph or below in 2nd gear, the car jerks at the lower rpms when I let off the gas (and when I first begin pushing on it). The car has a new clutch w/ 6 month warranty and a 3 month powertrain (which is why I want to get it fixed now before the warranties are up). I haven't driven a manual in 10 years or so, and I thought it might be that. But it doesn't occur when I'm shifting or even touching the clutch. Plus, my shifting skills are coming back anyway

 

When the rpm drops below 1300 in 2e gear then you better press the clutch pedal so the car can just roll along for a couple of seconds. After that you should be able to accelerate as usual.
In 1st gear the jerking is even worse: there you really must press the clutch pedal the moment you let off the throttle.
(by pressing the clutch pedal I mean completely press it down: you don't want to drive with the clutch slipping).

Edit: maybe with the old worn out clutch you didn't have the problem just because it was slipping?

 

^^^I just do this, always thought it was normal. Its doesn't hat in just about every manual I've owned so I just push in the clutch pedal and let it drift until I'm ready to change the speed.

 

Depends, there should be a noticeable deceleration when you let off the gas. There shouldn't be any slamming. If your engine is slamming or the car is jerking back and forth Check your motor mounts, drivers side and rear specifically. Put new ones in my car, problem solved.

 

Ha that probably explains it then. My front motor mount is needing replacement.

 

I tried pushing in the clutch and it didn't help. My primary concern is that 2nd gear is bad on the transmission. Could that be the problem? If so I want it fixed before the warranty is up in a month or so.

 

my '99 EX sedna did this when the front motor mount went bad

 

Also, if it were the motor mounts, wouldn't it also feel like it was jerking in the other gears?

 

Dirty IACV valve and or worn motor/transmission mounts...

 

Yes, however the lower gearing is more likely to move the engine (gears multiply torque). So you would notice it much more in the lower gears than in the higher ones with less torque multiplication.

 

Thats what I was thinking too. It drives perfectly smooth in 1st and 3rd gears. Second is the only one with a problem. Thats why I was thinking it might be the transmission. Maybe I'll pay a place to take a look at it or something Not what I wanted to do, but it will be worth getting it fixed under warranty (and saving a couple thousand bucks) if it is that.

 

Well, it is possible if your gear was worn to the point where it has backlash in it. If it's motor mounts though it gets progressively worse the lower the gear, I would check anyways. If it's still under warranty I would get it looked at might as well.

 

I just took it to a Honda repair place to get a used car check and they said its likely a weak spring at the clutch plate. Luckily the clutch is still under warranty, so I'm gonna see if that will fix it.