What Type of Oil Does a 2016 Can-Am Outlander MAX L570 Take?
Shop parts for a 2016 Can-Am Outlander MAX L570 ATV.
Start With the Engine: Four-Stroke Oil, No Premix Involved
The 2016 Can-Am Outlander MAX L570 is a four-stroke machine, so the entire conversation centers on four-stroke engine oil. There is no premix to measure, no injection reservoir to keep topped off, and no two-stroke oil anywhere in the picture. Under the bodywork sits a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder Rotax engine, and that engine is happiest on a powersports-specific four-stroke oil rather than whatever happens to be on sale in the automotive aisle. The reason comes down to additive chemistry. Powersports oils are blended to handle sustained higher rpm, the heat soak that comes with slow trail work, and the shear forces a small, high-output single places on its lubricant. A JASO MA or MA2 rated oil is the sensible default for this class of ATV, and it is what the majority of owners run.
One detail that catches people out: the Outlander MAX L570 uses a belt-driven CVT, so engine oil is not shared with a wet clutch pack the way it would be on a geared quad. That does not make automotive oil a smart substitute. It simply means the oil's job is narrower — lubricating the engine, valvetrain, and internal bearings — while the demands placed on it remain powersports-grade.
What Viscosity Fits This Machine
Across the four-stroke utility ATV segment, 10W-40 is the most commonly cited viscosity, and 5W-40 appears frequently as well, especially where easier cold-weather cranking is the goal. For a machine in this displacement class, either is a reasonable, industry-typical pick. Riders who regularly start their quad below freezing often step to a 0W-40 so oil reaches the top end quickly on the first turn of the key. At the opposite extreme, 20W-50 is sometimes listed for hot climates or for air-cooled engines that run hotter by design. This engine is liquid-cooled, so the argument for a 20W-50 is weaker here, though some owners in extreme desert heat still prefer the thicker film.
The precise number Can-Am specifies for this model, along with the accompanying temperature chart, is printed in the owner's manual. That is a thirty-second check and worth doing before committing to a case of oil.
Why the CVT and Separate Gearbox Matter to Oil Selection
Because the belt on this ATV runs dry and outside the engine cases, the engine oil never has to double as transmission fluid. That is a meaningful distinction. On a quad with a manual or semi-automatic gearbox and a wet clutch, the same oil lubricates the engine and bathes the clutch plates, which is exactly why friction-modified automotive oils are a poor choice there. Here, the CVT handles ratio changes through belt and sheave contact, and the gearbox that provides high, low, neutral, and reverse range selection is a separate unit with its own lubricant supply.
Even so, sticking with a powersports formulation remains the right call. These oils are built with the anti-wear and shear-stability package a small, hard-working single needs, and they resist the viscosity breakdown that comes from hours of low-speed, high-load operation. Can-Am also offers its own branded oil line, and following the manufacturer's recommendation is a sound default when you are unsure.
Beyond the Engine: Drivetrain Fluids on a 4x4 Outlander
Engine oil is only part of the lubrication picture on a four-wheel-drive utility ATV. This machine carries several separate fluid compartments, each with its own specification and service interval:
- Front differential — on models with a locking or engagement-style front drive, this unit often calls for a dedicated fluid rather than a generic gear oil. Using the wrong lubricant here can affect how — or whether — four-wheel drive engages.
- Rear gearcase or final drive — typically filled with a hypoid gear oil in the 80W-90 range, serviced independently of the engine.
- Transmission gearbox — the range-selection gearbox on this model uses its own lubricant, separate from engine oil.
None of these share fluid with the engine, and none are topped off through the engine fill. Treating them as separate systems is essential, because a drivetrain running low or running the wrong fluid will fail long before the engine shows any complaint.
How Hard Work Changes What You Should Run
Plowing snow, towing a trailer, hauling game, crawling through mud, and idling for long stretches are all far harder on oil than a casual afternoon on groomed trails. Heat builds, oil temperatures climb, and the additive package depletes faster. Water and mud intrusion is another real concern on a work machine — if engine or drivetrain oil takes on a milky, coffee-with-cream appearance, that is a sign of contamination and the fluid should be changed rather than run.
Cold weather is the other variable worth planning around. The lower the first number in a multigrade, the more readily the oil flows at startup, which is when most engine wear occurs. If your Outlander sees winter duty, that is a strong argument for a 0W-40 or 5W-40 over a heavier cold rating.
Conventional or Synthetic?
Synthetic oils generally deliver better cold-start flow and hold up more predictably under sustained high heat, which suits a machine that works hard in summer or plows in winter. Conventional oil costs less and remains perfectly serviceable for many owners, particularly those who ride in moderate conditions and change their oil on a disciplined schedule. Semi-synthetic blends sit in the middle and are a common compromise. Whichever you choose, match the viscosity and the JASO rating to the application rather than shopping on price alone.
Change Frequency and Confirming the Exact Spec
Severe service — heavy loads, dust, mud, frequent water crossings, and long idle periods — generally calls for shorter oil change intervals than the baseline schedule suggests. Many owners working their ATV hard simply shorten the interval as cheap insurance. For the exact engine oil viscosity, the fill quantity, and the specific drivetrain fluid types this 2016 Outlander MAX L570 requires, the owner's manual is the authoritative source, and a dealer can confirm anything the manual leaves ambiguous. Checking that once takes only a moment and removes all doubt before your next fluid service.
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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.