The starter flywheel (10) for internal combustion engines is primarily mounted on the crankshaft end (2) of the engine (1) in front of the flywheel disc (20) of the engine (1) so that it is free to turn in the direction of rotation (a and b) and so that in braking of the vehicle the starter flywheel disc (20) is locked in the direction of rotation (B) by a coupling device and the crankshaft (2) rotating in the direction of rotation (a) is thereby also set in rotational movement in the direction of rotation (a). When starting up again the starter flywheel (10) is coupled, especially by means of a V-belt (40), to the starter motor pinion (31) already engaged in the ring gear (21) of the engine flywheel disc (20), as a result of which the engine is started by means of the rotational energy of the starter flywheel (10) moving in the direction of rotation (a). Where necessary, in cold starting of the engine, the starter flywheel (10) in a first, also omittable stage is first brought to the necessary speed by means of a two-stage ignition lock and thereafter connected for support to the starter motor pinion (31) of the starter motor (30).