The RJM pedal pretty much eliminates the shudder.

 

Thanks Ken, I tried out your method at consistently starting at or around 1,500 RPMs and very slowly easing out the clutch pedal near the catch point and it works better. Seems weird hearing it revving that high before I even take off though. I'm used to easy starts at around the 1,200 RPM range in my previous cars. But it does help and I think it is the catch point I'm not used to since sometimes I have really bad starts but that's when I really mis-time the clutch catch and throttle. The hard part is adding more throttle at the perfect time when the clutch catches... not much room for error.

Oro--thanks for the RJM info, I did a fair amount of research and after reading everything, I had to have this. None currently in stock but my order is placed!

 

I just had this exact problem, with a few more symptoms as well.

1. Check to see if there is a wooshing/whining sound (similar to supercharger whine) in 1st-3rd. Make sure you do this after the car is warmed up though.

2. I was having the exact same issues you were with shuddering/jerky-ness, especially in 1st and 2nd. I had a lot of people attributing this to driver error. Coming from a 06 RSX with a stage 4 Comp clutch I knew this was not the case. I had even changed to the lighter spring.

I took it to the dealership and it turned out to be an internal fault in my transmission. They said that a lot of the 08's actually had this problem. They are replacing my transmission right now with a brand new one, fully under the powertrain warranty.

I'm hoping when I get it back all will be fixed. If not, I'm going to try the RJM clutch pedal.

Good luck!

 

Mine doesn't have a wooshing sound, but does have a SC whine, especially when it's warmer/hot outside. Several cars on the dealer's lot also did this. In addition, there's a few threads about this noise on here too, so annoying as that is, it is relatively normal for these cars/trans.

Revving engine up to 1500rpm and slowly letting clutch out will result in premature clutch wear. The entire clutch/throttle operation should be a synchronized effort.

Perhaps there is a bonafide issue with the trans. If the car is still under the powertrain warranty, and the dealer claims it's your technique, demand to test drive some manual cars on their lot (new or used). Have the tech do the same. If there is a big difference between the two, you should have a valid case.

 

Thanks xsaqzw and jsolo. Hmmm so I might have a transmission issue after all. All I can say is that it doesn't feel normal whatsoever but apparently people are having similar issues? When I try to drive normal, my car will shudder for a few seconds until it picks up speed. The shudder is almost exactly how it feels when the car is about to stall. This is almost impossible for me to avoid when starting on an uphill incline no matter what I do.

I wanted to avoid the dealership at all costs but I just realized my car is still under the powertrain warranty. I guess it wouldn't hurt to drop it off to see what they say. At the very least, I'll have some piece of mind.

 

That's exactly what you need to do. I don't know about your dealership, but the guys at mine are fantastic! I dropped mine off and two hours later had a call from them explaining that I had a transmission failure and that they had already ordered me a new one! Also, I found out mine was still under powertrain (I had no clue whatsoever as I bought it used.)

Jsolo - I've also heard that, but the techs at my dealership said that the noise my transmission was making definitely indicated a fault with my transmission.

 

Sounds like you have an awesome dealership! I spent about an hour looking at reviews of all the ones in my area and they all had some alarming feedback from customers.

I never paid attention to it but I do notice a high pitched (but not super loud) supercharger like whine when I accelerate in 1st and 2nd like you had mentioned previously. It might be there but not really noticeable in any other gears.

Keep me updated on how your new tranny turns out!

 

I should be getting mine back tomorrow. I'll let everyone know!

 

Got it back, I have to say that it feels like a whole new car! I can't even explain the difference it has made. Every problem it had is now fixed.

This would be a great idea to anyone having this problem if you are still under powertrain. Ill grab my friends grpros and see if I can get a video.

What of the unexpected fixes was the cough. It feels totally different. I actually love it now! Although, I feel like I would love it even more with the RJM pedal.

 

Yeah, that was me. I had a horrible grinding noise when the clutch was engaged (i.e. foot OFF clutch) and it would go away when the clutch was disengaged. I went to the dealership and they found metal in my transmission fluid which prompted them to replace the whole damn thing.

 

Glad to hear! The dealership couldn't find anything wrong or out of the ordinary with mine... of course. I ordered the RJM pedal to see if this corrects the shuddering I have. If not, it is going back to the dealership for another check.

Wow that's crazy. I have a scratching noise but nothing near horrible or grinding. The dealer said mine is perfectly normal. I'm due for a transmission fluid change so I'll ask them to check for anything out of the ordinary with the fluid flushed out of my car.

 

Good to see progress on the thread.
I've gone through my struggles with my clutch, but it's all good now. To my understanding it takes everyone a different amount of time to get used to the clutch even if they have been driving a manual car previously.

Hopefully it all gets squared away!

 

I get some shuddering too but I think it's normal with MT cars. My BMW did the same thing. Some starts perfectly smooth, others shudder. Weather seemed to be a factor. With my BMW at least, it seemed to happen on cold starts in wet weather the most. It's like the clutch/flywheel were "stickier" under those circumstances.

But mostly I think it's the speed at which you engage the clutch. You need to ease into it more, let a slip just a tad bit more before fully engaging.

Another thing I hate with MT is cold starts in freezing weather. The throttle response becomes so sensitive, one slight tap and you're revving up to 2k RPM.