In 1903, the first U.S. patent for an automobile electric self-starter was issued to Clyde J. Coleman of New York City. He invented the self-starter in 1899, but the invention was impractical.

The license was purchased by the Delco Company, which was taken over by the General Motors Corporation. Charles Kettering at General Motors modified the self-starter, and made it practical. It was first installed on Cadillac cars in 1911. By 1920, nearly every car had a self-starter.

Charles Kettering did about 1911. He invented many useful auto accessories.

The British term for starter as related to an automobile is starter just like in the U.S.

An auto is an automobile - a term occasionally used for a self-driving automobile.

There are a few types of solenoids in an automobile. The transmission solenoid is responsible for properly shifting the gears in an automatic transmission. The starter solenoid power the starter.