What happens when you kick start a car

A kick start is a way to start an engine by using your leg to turn the engine over manually, instead of using the starter motor and battery. You push down hard on a lever (usually on the left side of the motorcycle or small engine) with your foot, which spins the crankshaft. If the engine has fuel and spark, it will fire and run. This method works on motorcycles, scooters, lawn mowers, and some older cars — but most modern cars cannot be kick started because they lack the mechanical lever and have too much engine compression for a person to overcome with their leg.

Kick starting is useful when a battery is too weak to turn the starter motor, or when a battery is completely dead. It is also a backup method if your starter fails. The downside is that it requires physical effort, timing, and practice to do correctly. A failed kick start attempt can leave you sore or frustrated, but it will not damage the engine if done properly.

Key Takeaways

  • Kick starting only works on vehicles with a kick start lever, mainly motorcycles, scooters, and some older small engines — most modern cars cannot be kick started.
  • The basic steps are: put the bike in neutral, turn on the fuel and ignition, position your foot on the lever, and push down hard and fast in one smooth motion.
  • Timing and leg strength matter; a weak or hesitant push will not turn the engine over enough to start it.
  • Wear sturdy shoes and keep your leg relaxed so the lever does not catch your foot and injure you if the engine suddenly fires.

Check whether your vehicle has a kick start lever

Before you attempt a kick start, confirm that your vehicle actually has a kick start mechanism. Look on the left side of the engine, near the footrest or foot peg. A kick start lever is a metal rod or pedal that folds up when not in use and hangs down when you are ready to use it. On motorcycles, it is usually located just below or behind the left foot peg. On scooters, it may be on the left side of the engine casing.

If you see no lever and your vehicle has a push-button or key-turn starter, kick starting is not an option. In that case, you will need to charge or replace the battery, or call for a tow. If you do have a kick start lever but have never used one, read the owner manual for your specific model — the exact steps and foot position vary slightly between vehicles.

Prepare the bike and fuel system

Turn off the engine (if it is running) and make sure the fuel valve is in the ON position. On many motorcycles and scooters, the fuel valve is a small lever or switch on the left side of the fuel tank. Some vehicles have an automatic fuel valve that opens when the engine runs, so check your manual. If the fuel valve is in the OFF or RESERVE position, the carburetor will not receive fuel and the engine will not start.

Next, turn the ignition key to the ON position. You should see the dashboard lights come on. Do not turn it to START — that engages the electric starter, which you are bypassing. Leave the key in the ON position so the ignition system is live and the spark plugs will fire when the engine turns over.

Position the bike and yourself safely

Sit on the seat with both feet on the ground, or stand over the bike with one foot on the ground and one foot ready for the kick start lever. The bike should be on level ground or on the center stand. If the bike is on a side stand, it may lean too far and make kick starting awkward or unsafe. Engage the clutch (pull the clutch lever toward you with your left hand) and put the transmission in neutral. The neutral light on the dashboard should come on.

Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots — never attempt a kick start in sandals or flip-flops. If the lever catches your foot or the engine suddenly fires, an unprotected foot can be badly scraped or broken. Keep your leg relaxed and ready to pull your foot away quickly if needed. Do not lock your knee or tense your leg, because that increases the risk of injury if something goes wrong.

Execute the kick start in one smooth motion

Place the ball of your foot on the kick start lever, with your heel hanging off the edge. Take a breath and push down hard and fast in one continuous motion, using your leg strength and body weight. The push should be firm and swift — a slow or hesitant push will not turn the engine over enough to start it. Push all the way down until the lever hits the bottom or until you feel strong resistance.

As soon as you reach the bottom of the stroke, pull your foot away and off the lever. Do not hold your foot on the lever after it bottoms out, because if the engine fires, the lever will swing back up and can catch your shin or ankle. The engine should turn over and, if everything is right (fuel, spark, compression), it will fire and run. Once the engine starts, release the clutch slowly and the bike will move forward.

Troubleshoot if the engine does not start

If the engine does not start after one or two kick attempts, stop and check a few things. Make sure the fuel valve is truly in the ON position and that there is fuel in the tank. Listen for a spark — you may hear a faint clicking or popping sound from the engine as you kick. If you hear nothing, the ignition may not be on, or the spark plugs may be fouled or wet.

If the spark plugs are wet (flooded), remove them, wipe them dry, and reinstall them. If the engine is cold, you may need to use a choke (a lever or knob that restricts air to the carburetor). Pull the choke lever or turn the choke knob to the ON or CLOSED position before you kick start. Once the engine starts and warms up, push the choke back to OFF. If you have kicked several times and the engine still will not start, the battery may be too dead to power the ignition system, or there may be a mechanical problem. At that point, you will need to charge the battery or seek mechanical help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I kick start a car with a dead battery?

No. Most modern cars do not have a kick start lever and cannot be kick started. If your car has a dead battery, you will need to jump-start it using jumper cables and another vehicle, or call for roadside help. Kick starting only works on motorcycles, scooters, and some older small engines.

What if I am not strong enough to kick start the bike?

Kick starting requires leg strength and practice. If you struggle, make sure you are using your full body weight and pushing in one smooth, fast motion — not a slow or tentative push. Wear shoes with good grip on the lever. If you still cannot turn the engine over, the battery may be too weak to power the ignition, or there may be a mechanical issue like high compression or a stuck piston.

Will kick starting damage my engine?

No, kick starting will not damage the engine if done correctly. The engine is designed to be started this way. However, if you hold your foot on the lever after it bottoms out and the engine fires, the lever can swing back and injure your leg. Always pull your foot away when ready after pushing down.

Do I need to use the clutch when kick starting?

Yes. Pull the clutch lever in (toward you) and put the bike in neutral before you kick start. This disconnects the engine from the wheels so the bike will not lurch forward when the engine fires. Once the engine is running, you can release the clutch slowly to engage the transmission and move forward.

What does it mean if the kick start lever is very hard to push?

A hard kick start lever usually means the engine has high compression or the piston is stuck. This is normal for cold engines in winter. Try warming the engine by pushing the bike forward in gear with the clutch released, then try kick starting again. If the lever is always hard, there may be an oil or mechanical problem — have a mechanic inspect it.