What Type of Oil Does a 2016 Can-Am Outlander MAX L570 DPS Take?
Shop parts for a 2016 Can-Am Outlander MAX L570 DPS ATV.
The Short Answer for This 570-Class Utility Quad
The 2016 Can-Am Outlander MAX L570 DPS is powered by a liquid-cooled, four-stroke Rotax single, and like nearly every utility ATV in the 500–600cc bracket, it is designed around a powersports-specific 4-stroke oil in the 10W-40 range. That viscosity is the one most commonly cited for this displacement class and this generation of machine, and it makes a sound year-round default for riders in moderate climates. Can-Am also offers its own branded engine oil blended for these engines, and choosing it is an easy way to stay close to the factory's intent without cross-referencing a compatibility chart.
Just as important as the weight is the certification printed on the bottle. Because this engine's oil supply also serves the transmission and its wet clutch, you want a JASO MA or MA2 rated oil rather than a standard automotive formula. Friction modifiers in car oils can cause clutch slip and grabby engagement over time, which is exactly the kind of problem a $10 savings on a jug is not worth.
Matching Viscosity to Your Climate and Season
10W-40 covers a wide band of temperatures, but it is not the only sensible answer. Owners who ride in deep winter — plowing driveways at dawn, running a snow blade in single-digit temperatures — often get better cold-start flow from a 0W-40 or 5W-40. The lower first number is what governs how quickly oil reaches the top end on a frigid start, and on a machine that sits outside overnight, that difference is real.
At the other end of the spectrum, hot-climate riders and anyone working the quad hard in summer heat may see 20W-50 listed as an option. It holds viscosity better when oil temperatures climb during slow, loaded work. The tradeoff is heavier cold cranking and slightly more pumping resistance. If you ride in a place with genuine seasons, a 10W-40 or 5W-40 is the middle ground that handles both ends reasonably well.
How the Drivetrain Layout Shapes Oil Choice
The Outlander MAX L570 DPS uses a belt-driven CVT automatic, which means the belt itself runs dry and outside the engine oil supply. That is a meaningful distinction, because it separates this machine from quads with a fully shared engine-and-gearbox sump where the oil has to satisfy a clutch as well as an engine. Here, the engine oil still lubricates the internal transmission and the wet centrifugal clutch that engages the CVT, so a JASO MA/MA2 powersports oil remains the correct category.
What the CVT does not change is the need for a purpose-built oil. Automotive oils are formulated around catalytic converters and fuel economy, not around a wet clutch pack and a high-revving single that spends much of its life at part throttle under load. A dedicated powersports 4-stroke oil is built for exactly that duty cycle.
Fluids Beyond the Engine: What Else This Quad Uses
Engine oil is only part of the lubrication picture on a 4x4 utility ATV, and mixing up the rest is a common and avoidable mistake.
- Front differential: This machine uses a front drive with an engagement system, and it takes its own fluid — not engine oil and not a generic gear oil chosen at random. Using the wrong lubricant here can interfere with how the 4WD engages, which turns a fluid choice into a traction problem.
- Rear gearcase / final drive: The rear drive is a separate unit that typically runs a hypoid gear oil in the 80W-90 range. It is serviced on its own schedule and never shares fluid with the engine.
- Transmission gearcase: On models with a separate gearcase, that lubricant is also distinct from the engine sump.
Each of these has its own fill and drain points, its own capacity, and its own interval. Treating them as one system is how owners end up with a whining differential or a 4WD light that never settles down.
How Hard Work Changes What the Oil Sees
A quad used for plowing, towing a trailer, hauling firewood, or crawling through mud at low speed lives a much harder life than one that cruises groomed trails. Slow-speed heavy loads mean less airflow across the engine and higher sustained oil temperatures. Long idle periods dilute the oil with fuel and condensation. Water crossings and deep mud can push moisture past seals, and a milky, coffee-colored appearance on the dipstick is the classic sign that it has happened.
Cold-weather operation is the other major factor, and it is the strongest argument for the lower first number in a multigrade. Oil that is too thick on a cold start is not protecting anything for the first several seconds of running. If your riding is mostly work rather than recreation, plan on shorter oil change intervals than the casual trail rider would use — dust, mud, and heat all accelerate the oil's breakdown.
Conventional or Synthetic?
Synthetic oils generally flow better when cold, resist thermal breakdown longer, and hold their viscosity under sustained heat. For a machine that plows, tows, or works in temperature extremes, that is a genuine advantage. Conventional oil costs less and remains perfectly serviceable for a quad that sees moderate use in mild weather with regular changes. A semi-synthetic sits between the two and is a reasonable compromise for most owners. Whichever you pick, keep the JASO MA/MA2 rating and the viscosity grade consistent.
Confirming the Exact Spec for Your Machine
The guidance above reflects what is typical and widely published for this class of utility ATV, and it will serve you well in practice. For the precise viscosity, the exact fill quantity, and the specific fluid required by the front differential engagement system, take a minute with your owner's manual or check with a Can-Am dealer. That quick confirmation is the difference between a good general answer and a spec that is exact for your particular quad.
Related Shopping Categories
Shop Oils and Fluids for a 2016 Can-Am Outlander MAX L570 DPS ATV.
Shop Oil for a 2016 Can-Am Outlander MAX L570 DPS ATV.
Shop Air Filters and Oil for a 2016 Can-Am Outlander MAX L570 DPS ATV.
Shop Transmission for a 2016 Can-Am Outlander MAX L570 DPS ATV.
Shop Oil Filters for a 2016 Can-Am Outlander MAX L570 DPS ATV.
Disclaimer: This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace your ATV's official owner's manual. Always refer to your manufacturer's documentation for model-specific instructions, torque specifications, safety procedures, and maintenance requirements. If you are unsure or inexperienced, consider seeking assistance from a qualified mechanic or technician.