I learned how to drive in manual mode recently, when the car comes to a stop it goes to first gear and then I have to shift from that point. I noticed the car jerks extremely hard going from first to second. After that, it's very smooth, you barely feel anything. It jerks so hard it pushes me forward and back almost. Is this normal? I have an IS 250 AWD (6 gears)

 

It may be the torque converter locking up. I am not sure if it engages in 2nd gear on the AWD, but for the RWD 8-spd tranny, the lock-up occurs in manual mode when shifting into 3rd gear. I have posted before about hard shifting going into third gear while in manual mode, which sounds similar to your issue. I have found that shifting into 3rd gear at higher loads helps soften the hard shift.

 

If I remember correctly, it jerks harder in the higher RPM than lower though

 

My 2015 350 awd, same tranny does the same thing. A noticeable sensation 1-2 shift smooth as butter all other times.

 

2016 IS 300 AWD, and it has been a little bit jerky from 1st into 2nd and vice versa since day one. As some have stated, it could be the torque converter lockup. Unless you think it is excessive, it is probably normal.

 

Mine does that too. Only in M. 4000-5000rpm 75-100% throttle. Can’t always do it either. Won’t do it in high rpms way too slushy. It grabs hard and fast I kinda like it. Feels sportier. Must be a quirk our trans have.