engine oil ARIEL ATOM 2 2006 Owners Manual

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Fluid Levels & Types for GM Engines....................................................................................... 35
Fluid Levels & Types for Honda Engines ............. .................................................................... 36
GM Oil Dipstick/Fill Locations ..................... .............................................................................. 37
Honda Oil Dipstick/Fill Locations.................. ............................................................................ 38
Dip Stick Indicator for Honda Engines .............. ....................................................................... 39
Adding & Changing Engine Coolant ................... ................................................................. 40-42
Transmission Oil ................................... ..................................................................................... 43
Body Panel Removal & Installation.................. ......................................................................... 44
Air Filter Removal & Installation .................. ........................................................................ 45-46
Suspension Adjustments ............................. ............................................................................. 47
A-Arm Adjustment................................... ................................................................................... 48
Vehicle Ride Height Adjustment ..................... .......................................................................... 49
Damper Adjustment .................................. ................................................................................. 50
Seat Adjustments ................................... .................................................................................... 51
Tow Points ......................................... ......................................................................................... 52
Maintenance Schedules .............................. .......................................................................... 53-58
GM Engine Replacement Part Information ............. ............................................................. 59-60
Honda Engine Replacement Part Information .......... ........................................................... 61-62
Brake Pad Options .................................. .............................................................................. 63-66
Standard Paint Codes .............................. .................................................................................... 67
Service Notes ...................................... .................................................................................. 68-70
Track Notes ........................................ ................................................................................... 71-73

5

DASH LAYOUT



The LCD panel includes readings for the total mileage , the trip odometer, the water temperature and the fuel
gauge. The fuel gauge will flash when the tank is app roaching empty. The panel settings are pre-programmed.
If you wish to modify the default settings, please con tact Brammo Motorsports for programming instructions.

NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with non-canceling tur n signals, they must be cancelled manually.
1. Tachometer
2. Immobilizer
3. Charge System Warning
4. Parking Brake Indicator
5. Left Turn Signal
6. High Beam Indicator Light
7. Right Turn Signal
8. Lighting Indicator
9. Oil Pressure W arning
10. Speedometer
11. Turn Signal Switch
12. Horn
13. Engine Start Button
14. Ignition Power Switch
15. Emergency Flashers Button
16. Fog/Rain/Light
17. Marker/Lighting Selector/High
Beams
18. LCD Panel
19. Dash Programming Button

26

GM DRIVETRAINS

The Ecotec 2.0L SC (Supercharged) is compact and lightw eight, and its Eaton M62 Supercharger adds 40
percent more power to the Ecotec 2.0L engine compared to a naturally aspirated version. The M62
supercharger utilizes a helical roots compressor and integr al pressure control, producing a maximum of 12-19
PSI of boost. The boosted intake flow exits into an all-new matched intake manifold with an integral air- to-
liquid heat exchange intake charge cooler system. A comp act single-track, six-rib belt supercharger drive
system utilizes a linear tensioning device to further st rengthen the already impressive system performance and
durability. A microprocessor manages the M62 supercharge r, fuel, direct spark delivery systems and the
engine’s 68-mm Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system . ETC delivers outstanding throttle response,
improved reliability and better integration with cru ise control electronics for greater overall performance a nd
drivability.
The Ecotec 2.0L SC engine is built with a six-quart oi l sump and a crankshaft driven pump. A block-mounted
oil cooler, or optional remote cooler, is included to e nsure proper lubricant cooling that promotes long engi ne
life.
The 2.0L SC engine is built exclusively at the FGP (Fi at-GM Powertrain) engine facility in Kaiserslautern,
Germany. This plant uses a die-cast production techniqu e that yields a block that is well suited for high-stress
applications including turbocharging and supercharging.
Often referred to as the Global Four Cylinder, the starting point for the 2.0L SC is the Ecotec 2.2L (RPO L61).
This engine has leveraged GM Powertrain’s worldwide de sign and engineering capability by drawing on the
best practice of technical centers in North America and Eu rope. The Ecotec 2.2L created a template for
subsequent global powertrain development that laid th e groundwork for engines such as Powertrain’s new
Global 3.6: V6. Most important, the Ecotec 2.2L is a world-class gasoline engine with obvious benefits for the

35

FLUID LEVELS & TYPES FOR ATOMS WITH GM ENGINES
Fluid levels (GM engines)

Engine oil capacity: 6 quarts (5.20 L)
Transmission oil capacity: 67 ounces / 2.1 quarts (189 grams/1.99 L)
Brake fluid reservoir capacity: Fill to the indicated capacity line on the reservoir
Fuel tank capacity: 9.7 gallons (36.7 L)
Cooling system capacity: 2.75 gallons (10.395 L)
Supercharger after cooler coolant: 2 in. (apx.) below the filler cap when hot
Front lower A-arm ball joint grease: As needed

Fluid types (GM engines)
Engine oil: Mobil 1™ Synthetic 5-30
Transmission oil: Saturn Manual Transmission Lubricant
(The use of standard GL-4 lubricant is not recommended. )
Brake fluid: Dot 4
Clutch fluid: Dot 4
Fuel: Premium Unleaded
Cooling system: Dexcool (Dilute with water 50:50 if not pre-dilute d)
Supercharger after cooler coolant: Dexcool
Front lower A-arm ball joint grease: High quality bearing/suspension grease

36

FLUID LEVELS & TYPES FOR ATOMS WITH HONDA ENGINES

Fluid levels (Honda engines)

Engine oil capacity: 5.5 quarts (5.20 L)
Transmission oil capacity: 64 oz/2.1 quarts (189 grams/1.99 L)
Brake fluid reservoir capacity : Fill to the indicated capacity line on the reservoir
Fuel tank capacity: 9.7 gallons (36.7 L)
Cooling system capacity: 2.75 gallons (10.395 L)
Front lower A-arm ball joint grease: As needed

Fluid types (Honda engines)
Engine oil: 5-30 Conventional oil
Transmission oil: Honda/Acura Manual Transmission Fluid
Brake fluid: Dot 4
Clutch fluid: Dot 4
Fuel: Premium Unleaded
Cooling system: Acura/Honda Anti Freeze Coolant Type 2 (only avai lable premixed)
Front lower A-arm ball joint grease: High quality bearing/suspension grease

37

GM ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK/FILL LOCATIONS

For Atoms with GM engines, the dipstick is located ju st forward of the right rear wheel.

38

HONDA ENGINE OIL FILL LOCATIONS
For Atoms with Honda engines, it may be necessary to unbolt the coolant reservoir to access the oil filler.

39

DIP STICK INDICATOR FOR HONDA ENGINES
Due to the Honda engine’s tilted positioning, the dip stick for the oil tank was modified. There are custom ized
holes drilled in the dip stick at 1/2 in. (12.7 mm) and at 1 in. (25.4 mm) for your point of reference.

43

TRANSMISSION OIL
GM Engines
The transaxle fill/level indicator plug for the GM engine is on the left side of the car, just behind the axle. Due to
the angle of the engine/transaxle assembly, the proper fluid level of the transaxle is about 1 in. (25.4 mm)
below the level indicator plug. The drain fitting i s identical to the fill plug and is located below the l eft axle. Both
plugs require the use of an 8mm hex wrench to remove o r install.

Honda Engines
The transaxle fill/level indicator plug for the Honda engine is on the left side of the car, just behind the axle.
Due to the angle of the engine/transaxle assembly, the proper fluid level of the transaxle is approximately
1 in. (25.4 mm) below the level indicator plug
. The drain plug is located below the left axle. Use a 17mm
wrench to remove the fill plug, and use a 3/8 in. sq uare drive to remove the drain plug.

46

AIR FILTER REMOVAL & INSTALLATION (PLASTIC INTAKE)

If your car is equipped with a GM engine that was purch ased after November 2006, it may have a plastic intake
and require one additional step for removal.
Follow the previous instructions, and then remove the a ir filter retaining clip after the snorkel is removed. This
step will not require any tools.



NOTE: The Filtercharger® element must be cleaned and serviced with K&N cleaner and air filter oil per the
prescribed routine maintenance procedures as outlined in the product literature that accompanies the
Filtercharger®. For additional information, refer t o the K&N “Helpful Hints” document in your Owner’s Packet .