by Chris Gilliland
quad1 image by charly_lippert from Fotolia.com
With the extreme demands placed on a Polaris Sportsman 500 All-Terrain Vehicle, regular maintenance becomes a critical factor in its continued operation. One of the maintenance routines required by the machine is the replacement of the oil that lubricates the moving components within the engine. Polaris recommends an oil change every ten hours of continuous operation, but this maintenance task may be performed at shorter intervals.
Park the ATV on a smooth, level work space and lock the parking brake. Start the motor and let it idle for 2 to 3 minutes. This will warm the oil, allowing it to flow and drain quicker. Stop the motor and turn off the ignition switch.
Place an oil pan directly beneath the oil tank's drain plug bolt. Remove the drain plug bolt with a socket wrench and allow the oil to drain completely from the oil tank. During this time, remove the washer from the drain plug bolt and replace it with a new washer. Reinstall the drain plug bolt into the oil tank and tighten it with a socket wrench.
Pull the oil line off the fitting on the bottom of the oil tank. Unscrew the fitting and remove it from the oil tank. Using compressed air, clear the fitting's internal oil screen. Apply a drop of medium strength thread-locking adhesive onto the fittings threads and screw in onto the oil tank, turning the fitting 2 1/2 turns. Continue to screw the fitting in until its nipple is aligned with the mark on the oil tank. Reconnect the oil line to the fitting.
Reposition the oil pan directly below the drain plug bolt, on the bottom of the motor's oil sump. Remove the drain plug bolt with a socket wrench and allow the oil to drain completely from the motor. Remove and replace the washer on the drain plug bolt. Reinstall the drain plug bolt onto the motor's oil sump and tighten it with a socket wrench.
Reposition the oil pan directly below the oil filter. Using an oil filter or wrench, twist the oil filter counter-clockwise to loosen it from the motor. Unscrew the oil filter completely and allow any remaining oil to drain. Discard the oil filter.
Spread a thin layer of oil around the gasket of the new oil filter. Screw the oil filter into place by hand until it is seated against the motor. Tighten the oil filter an additional 1/4 turn.
Remove the dipstick from the oil tank's filler neck. Place a funnel into the filler neck and slowly pour up to 2 quarts of oil into the oil tank. Remove the funnel and reinsert the dipstick.
Locate the oil tank's vent line at the front of the oil tank. Squeeze the vent line with your fingers to clamp it shut. Start the ATV's motor and let it run for 30 seconds. Stop the motor and listen as you release the vent line. Air should rush out of the vent line as you release it, indicating that the oil pump is primed and ready.
If this sound does not occur, repeat this step until the oil pump is primed.
References
Things You'll Need
Writer Bio
An avid motorcyclist, Chris Gilliland has immersed himself into the two-wheeled world while balancing work life and raising three daughters. When he is not managing the parts department of a local, multi-line motorcycle dealership, Gilliland can often be found riding, writing or working on his motorcycle blog, Wingman's Garage.
Today we are talking about how to complete a Polaris Sportsman Oil Change.
We will be specifically discussing changing the oil on the 2018 Polaris Sportsman 450 and 570 but the principles should apply to all ATV oil changes.
You should always complete your Polaris Sportsman Oil Changes as recommended per the owner’s manual periodic maintenance schedule. The 2018 450/570 owner’s manual says to first change your oil and filter at 25 hours or 1-month. Furthermore, the manual then says that the next oil change is due at 100 hours or 6 months. After that, it is debatable as to when you should be changing your oil but most mechanics will agree that you need to be changing it at a very minimum of once per year depending on use. I change mine around every six months but it all depends on the quality of oil and the conditions under which the machine is in use.
Because the longevity of your machine depends on proper care, changing the engine oil and oil filter is vital.
All the moving parts of the engine create friction and will wear down dramatically without proper oil lubrication. Failure to perform regular Polaris Sportsman Oil Changes can end up costing you thousands in repairs and a lot of frustration with denied warranty claims. Compare the cost of a year worth of DIY Polaris oils changes ($100) to the cost of expensive engine repairs due to neglect ($3000) and the choice is clear.
First, we are going to cover the recommended oil for a Polaris Sportsman oil change, Polaris recommends either Polaris PS-4 full synthetic 5W- 50 or PS-4 extreme full synthetic 10W-50.
These oils contain special additives designed to reduce friction and protect against engine wear and internal corrosion.
Now let’s discuss the difference between the two recommended oils. Polaris PS-4 5W- 50 offers cold start motor protection down to -40F and critical engine component protection for temperatures up to 100F. The -40F cold start rating makes this oil ideal for cooler climates.
Check out this Oils Change kit from Amazon that included 2 quarts of PS-4 5W-50 and the Polaris recommended oil filter Part number 2520799 for both the 450 and 570.
The Polaris PS-4 10W-50 Extreme Duty offers cold start motor protection down to 0F and critical engine component protection for temperatures up to 130F. This higher protection rate up to 130F makes this oil more suited for hot climates.
Completing your ATV’s first service? Check out this Full Service kit from Amazon that includes everying then you need to complete your ATV’s first service for a 2018 Polaris Sportsmans 450 and 570.
Polaris recommends the Polaris engineered oil filter Part number 2520799 for both the 450 and 570. You may find that your Polaris 450 came stock with oil filter part number 2521424 but this part is no longer in production and has been replaced by part number 2520799.
Because the oil will not fully drain on an uneven surface it is important to position the machine on a flat level surface while completing the oil change.
It is important to clean around the drain plug to ensure no dirt or debris end up in the crankcase.
This will allow the oil to warm and completely drain out.
Because the sportsman holds approximately 2 quarts of oil, you will need an oil pan that can catch at least two quarts of oil.
Use caution as after warming up the motor the oil may be hot and can burn your skin when you remove the oil plug. Be patient and allow time for all oil to drain completely.
You want to inspect sealing washer and crankcase for any burrs, nicks or scratches. If the washer is in good shape you can possibly reuse it. If the washer shows visible signs of wear it is recommended that you replace it.
Be sure crankcase surface is clean and free of any debris. Do not over tighten drain plug as this can cause costly damage to the crankcase. Typically the engine oil drain plug torque spec will be between 12 and 15 ft-lbs.
The oil will drain from a hole in the skid plate directly below the oil filter.
Because there is not a lot of space around the oil filter on the 2018 Polaris Sportsman 450 and 570 you are going to need a special tool to remove it. Check out this set of Oil Filter Pliers that will make quick work of the job.
Space is extremely tight you may need the right tool for the job. We recommend this Oil Filter Wrench you can find here.
Again space is tight, do your best to reach in and clean the surface and then walk around to the other side of ATV to look in and check your work.
You want to lubricate the rubber o-ring to avoid damaging it during installation and ensure a good seal.
Once the o-ring contacts the sealing surface, turn the filter an additional one-half turn by hand. There is no reason to crank it down with the oil filter pliers.
The Polaris Sportsman 450 and 570 each hold approximately two quarts of oil. Do not overfill!
Be sure to check both the oil drain plug and around the new oil filter for leaks. If you did a good job of cleaning up any drained oil you should be able to spot a leak immediately.
Now if there are no oil leaks and the dip stick shows full oil level then you are all finished!
Completing an oil change like this yourself can save you big bucks compared to paying a dealership.
If you completed the Polaris Sportsman Oil Change yourself be sure to keep a meticulous log of when you serviced the machine along with any receipts. This will come in handy for resale or if you ever need to file a warranty claim. Be sure to log things like Date, Miles or Hours, Comments. Tip – Most owners manuals will keep a log table in the back for you to keep track of your maintenance.
Please note that the content producers of this website and blog post are not certified mechanics and are not responsible for any damage to you or your ATV based off of any information or product suggestions obtained on this web site. For more information please view our Privacy Policy.
Don't forget to screw on the measuring tube before filling in the oil! We fill in about as much as we drained. Most modern automatic transmissions do not require oil changes. Then we start the engine and drive the automatic transmission selector in all positions for about 10 minutes so that the ATF mixes well.
Every motorist understands that it is necessary to change the oil as often as possible. That is: it is impossible to pour mineral Dexron-3 if it was semi-synthetic. Even novice drivers know that changing the oil in a car is an important procedure that must be performed on average every 10-15 thousand kilometers or once a year if the mileage is less.
Every motorist understands that it is necessary to change the oil as often as possible. We install new pipes in their place and tighten them with clamps, do not overdo it so that nothing bursts. If you are going to do all the work with your own hands, then first we choose an engine oil suitable for the type and brand of engine. Unfortunately, good lubricants are quite expensive, so the price of an oil change does not always please car owners with its affordability. In such automatic transmissions, there is no dipstick for checking the ATF level, and on the automatic transmission itself, as a rule, there is a plate or sticker with the inscription in the box filled with oil for the entire service life.
Therefore, each auto owner calculates his own acceptable service interval on his own. They are filled with oil for the entire service life of the automatic transmission, which, generally speaking, should coincide with the service life of the avto. The answer to this question is ambiguous.
If the manual says that "mineral" is suitable (such as Dexron-III), you can also pour the next generation of ATF (Dexron-VI), that is, everything that is higher in the class. Now let's talk about the nuances of high-quality engine oil, the replacement of which should be carried out on time. If you look from one side, then, of course, the more often, the better, but if we look from the other side of the matter, then high-quality engine oil is not a cheap pleasure, and if you change the oil every 3 months, then the money will fly away very quickly, as well as changing the oil, after all, it does not take so little time.
To determine the optimal oil change interval, proceed from the manufacturer's recommendations, the quality of the oil used, gasoline, and, of course, driving style.
Unfortunately, good lubricants are quite expensive, so the price of an oil change does not always please car owners with its affordability. Therefore, if you are not sure - do not raise the car on a jack - it is better to look for a hole or a bump! There is nothing complicated, the car will not fall if it is on the handbrake and the jack is installed on a flat hard platform - but you need to understand the responsibility! You can put wooden blocks or bricks under the wheels - so that the car does not roll off. Therefore, each auto owner calculates his own acceptable service interval on his own. An urgent question for almost every motorist, which is asked from year to year, is, nevertheless, when it is necessary to change engine oil, how often, and whether it is possible to replace it yourself. Automatic transmission oil must be changed exclusively in a specialized car service. Do-it-yourself oil changes will not improve the performance of the automatic transmission, will be inefficient, and possibly even seriously harm your automatic transmission.
That is: "semi-synthetics" and "synthetics". Changing the oil in the engine of various brands of cars is not much different and follows approximately the same pattern. The more often this operation is performed, the longer the avto engine will work. The more often this operation is performed, the longer the avto engine will work.
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Fans of ATV rides were waiting for the onset of heat like manna from heaven. Well, the season can be considered open. At the same time, so that after the very first forays into the forest, the quadric does not end up in a service with expensive repairs, it must be thoroughly prepared for the summer.
Dmitry Zlenko
If you forgot to change the oil in autumn, now is the time to refresh the contents of the engine crankcase. Used oil contains products of combustion, wear and oxidation, and such a cocktail will do more harm to the motor than good.
Ideally, before draining the waste and changing the oil filter, you should use a special flush.
Add the special Motorbike Engine Flush to a warm ATV engine and let the engine idle for 10 minutes. During this time, flushing will remove contaminants from the channels of the oil system, wash away gear and friction wear products from the internal surfaces of the motor (after all, many ATVs have the so-called oil bath clutch), soot and sludge. At the same time, what is important, Motorbike Engine Flush does not damage the friction linings of the clutch, their glue and the varnish windings of the generator. Applying a ten minute flush will clean the piston rings and combustion chamber, which will improve compression. Due to the fact that the engine will be absolutely clean from the inside, freshly filled oil will last much longer.
It must be remembered that the ATV is operated in extremely harsh conditions, and therefore neither car oil, nor lubricant for road motorcycles, and even more so motor lubricant for lawn mowers, will not work for him.
ATVs usually ride through mud at low speeds, at which both the radiator of the cooling system and the engine itself are poorly blown by oncoming air flows. In addition, on many quads diving into the swamp slurry up to the very handlebars, the heat exchanger is clogged with dirt, as a result of which the motor “works” beyond the upper limits of operating temperatures, especially in hot weather. Oil not intended for such conditions inevitably liquefies to the state of water, starts to burn, pressure in the system disappears, and stopping the “fiery heart” is only a matter of time. ATV oils, unlike automotive and others, are "charged" with a package of special additives that retains the characteristics of the lubricant in the widest temperature range. In addition, such oils are able to work for a long time and not burn out at high speeds.
Liqui Moly ATV 4T Motoroil Offroad 10W-40 is one of the most popular products on the ATV oil market today. This synthetic engine oil was created specifically for heavily loaded off-road motorcycles.
It can be poured into both ATVs, side-by-side (all-terrain vehicles with an automotive layout of controls), and motocross, pit bikes and enduro engines. This oil is universal and, thanks to a complex of additives, it is suitable for engines with a “wet” and “dry” clutch, air and water cooling, and even for engines that have a “wet” type variator.
However, grease with such viscosity characteristics is not suitable for all types of ATVs. For example, highly accelerated and turbocharged engines require oil with a wide variation in viscosity. For such devices, the German brand Liqui Moly offers its top synthetic product "ATV 4T Motoroil 5W-50". The complex of anti-wear additives and the basic base ensure the correct and trouble-free operation of the engine of your ATV or UTV in the widest possible range of temperatures and loads, ensuring the performance and protection of the engine under any, even extreme operating conditions.
The use of Liqui Moly ATV Motoroil 4T 5W-50 engine oil ensures high reliability of ATV units and ease of starting the engine at very low temperatures (this is in case you do not get off the ATV even in winter).
This grease mixes easily with all standard oils, and therefore, before changing the oil, it is not necessary to specifically flush the motor.
Well, since we touched on the issue of overheating, then when preparing your ATV for the summer, look at the condition of the radiator cells. And in general - make sure that there is a sufficient amount of antifreeze in the cooling system. If the radiator has a filler neck, then be sure to unscrew the plug and make sure that there is no scale inside the heat exchanger. Found "fossils" or noticed that the antifreeze is cloudy - flush the cooling system. Inexpensive and extremely effective Motorbike Kuhler Reiniger from the manufacturer Liqui Moly, dissolves scale and dirt in radiators, pipes and engine water jackets. The cleaner removes these deposits and ensures the normal operation of the cooling system. Motorbike Kuhler Reiniger is free of harsh acids and bases and should generally be used with every coolant change.
Well, to prevent limescale from appearing inside the radiator and leaving no deposits, use only high-quality antifreeze, and do not forget to change it in a timely manner - at least once every two years, and ideally every year. A rather interesting “cooler” has appeared in the Liqui Moly product grid - long-term antifreeze Motorbike Langzeit Kuhlerfrostschutz GTL 12 Plus. This antifreeze is based on ethylene glycol, a combination of additives and a package of inhibitors. The technical fluid is designed to work in the cooling systems of heavily loaded engines (including aluminum ones) of modern ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles and other motor vehicles. Motorbike Langzeit Kuhlerfrostschutz GTL 12 Plus instantly blocks emerging pockets of corrosion and reliably protects the engine from overheating.
It goes without saying that even the most modern antifreeze will not save the engine from overheating if the radiator cells are clogged with dirt or grass seeds.
So first of all, clean the heat exchanger from what prevents it from coping with its duties.
Ideally, the radiator should be blown out with compressed air. But an electric tire inflation pump is unlikely to be a good ally for you, here you need more powerful artillery, such as in tire shops. You can also flush the radiator with a high pressure washer, but you need to be more careful with it, since a jet of water directed at an angle will easily bend the honeycombs.
It will not be superfluous at the beginning of the season to change the oil in the transmission. In some ATVs, the gearbox is combined with the engine and is lubricated with the same oil as the crank mechanism. But there are all-terrain vehicles with a separate "box". Transmission oil is poured into such a gearbox. Liqui Moly has Motorbike Gear Oil 75W-90 Synthetic Motorcycle Gear Oil which is just perfect for this ATV assembly. The transmission has the so-called thermal-oxidative stability and resistance to aging, which means that the interval between replacements is significantly higher than that of other manufacturers of oils with a similar viscosity.
The main feature of this oil is its high tolerance to shock loads, which guarantees maximum protection for gears and gearbox shafts.
However, not only can this product be filled into the box of an ATV. For most ATV gearboxes, Motorbike Gear Oil 75W-90 is also suitable. But in any case, first you need to familiarize yourself with the specification for your all-terrain vehicle, because, for example, this product will not work in the rear gearbox of the Suzuki King Quad 750. You should fill in a special Motorbike Axle Oil ATV transmission oil with a viscosity of 10W-30, designed for work with frictions. Pour something else in there and the quadric will be left without rear brakes in an instant. As well as a special fluid, the front gearbox of Polaris ATVs also requires a conductive oil, without which the front axle simply will not connect. And in the front gearbox of the Kawasaki BruteForce ATV, engine oil with a viscosity of 10W-40 is completely poured. In general, before buying lubricant for the gearboxes of your quadric, we strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the specification.
Don't know where to get it? Contact the Liqui Moly branded store, where specialists will help you choose the right liquids in the right amount.
No matter what oil you use in your ATV, check the condition of the gearboxes after every ride. When an ATV rides on a dry surface for a long time, the gearboxes inevitably heat up, and as soon as you drive into cold water, a vacuum forms inside the gearbox and water is sucked in through the seals. No, the gearbox is by no means filled to the brim with swamp slurry, only a few grams get into it. But even this amount of water is enough to change the properties of the oil. You can easily determine this by the color of the lubricant: ideally, it should be golden-transparent.
If the oil is cloudy, blackened or resembles coffee with milk, then this liquid, unsuitable for further use, must be drained, the gearbox flushed with a quick cleaner Liqui Moly Schnell-Reiniger, and filled with a fresh transmission.
