What Type of Oil Does a 2017 Can-Am Outlander Max 570 XT Take?
Shop parts for a 2017 Can-Am Outlander Max 570 XT ATV.
Four-Stroke Engine Oil, Not Premix
The 2017 Can-Am Outlander Max 570 XT is a four-stroke utility quad, so the answer starts with a crankcase oil rather than a two-stroke mix. Its liquid-cooled 570cc single-cylinder engine burns straight gasoline, and the oil you pour into the crankcase is the only lubricant the combustion side of the machine ever sees. There is no oil injection reservoir to keep filled and no fuel-to-oil ratio to calculate at the pump. What you are choosing is a four-stroke engine oil, and for a machine in this class the smart default is a purpose-built powersports formulation rather than an automotive oil off the shelf at a general retailer.
That distinction matters more than it might seem. A utility quad's engine spends its life at sustained rpm, under load, often in heat and dust, and on this platform the engine oil also serves internal gearbox components. Powersports oils are blended with that environment in mind — higher levels of anti-wear additives, friction characteristics tuned for a wet clutch, and stability under the kind of heat a working ATV generates. An automotive oil may meet the same viscosity number on the label while behaving quite differently inside a quad engine.
Viscosity: The Weight Most Often Cited for This Class
For 4-stroke utility ATVs in the 500–600cc range, the viscosity most commonly specified is 5W-40, with 10W-40 as the other widely available and widely acceptable choice. Both are multigrade oils, and the two numbers tell you different things: the first number describes how the oil flows when cold, and the second describes its thickness at operating temperature. A 5W-40 flows more readily on a frosty morning than a 10W-40, which is why colder climates often push owners toward the lower first number.
Other weights show up in the broader utility ATV world. A 0W-40 is sometimes recommended for genuinely cold-weather operation, where easy cranking and fast oil circulation matter most. A 20W-50 is occasionally listed for hot climates or heavily loaded air-cooled engines — less of a factor on this liquid-cooled machine, though some owners in extreme desert heat still prefer a heavier hot-end number. The exact figure for your specific machine is printed in the owner's manual, and it is worth a quick look, because the recommended weight can shift with the ambient temperature range you actually ride in.
How the Belt-Driven CVT Shapes the Choice
The Outlander Max 570 XT uses a belt-driven continuously variable transmission paired with a sub-transmission that gives you high, low, reverse, and park. The belt itself runs dry inside its own housing and is not lubricated by engine oil — that is a separate maintenance item with its own inspection and replacement schedule. What the CVT arrangement does mean is that the engine oil is not solely responsible for a wet multiplate clutch the way it would be on a manual-shift quad.
Even so, the engine and the internal gearbox on this platform share a common oil supply, and there are wet clutch elements in the driveline that benefit from oil formulated for them. That is the practical reason to look for a JASO MA or MA2 rating on the bottle. Those standards describe friction characteristics that let a wet clutch engage cleanly, and they are the quickest way to filter a shelf full of oils down to the ones actually intended for a powersports application. A fuel-economy-focused automotive oil can carry friction modifiers that a wet clutch does not appreciate.
Drivetrain Fluids Are a Separate Service
Engine oil is only part of the lubrication picture on a 4x4 utility quad. This machine has a front differential and a rear gearcase or final drive, each with its own fill and drain points, its own capacity, and its own service interval. Neither is topped off with engine oil, and mixing the two up is a common and avoidable mistake.
The front differential deserves particular attention on a 4x4 machine, because it uses an engagement system to bring the front wheels in and out of drive. That system depends on the correct fluid to function properly, and the wrong lubricant can affect how — or whether — four-wheel drive engages. The rear gearcase typically calls for a hypoid gear oil in the 80W-90 range. Both are serviced on their own schedule, separate from engine oil changes, and both are worth confirming against your manual before you buy.
Work Duty Changes the Oil's Life
How you use the quad has a real effect on how well the oil holds up. Plowing snow, towing a trailer, hauling loads at low speed, crawling through mud, and long idle periods all put more stress on engine oil than a casual trail ride. Heat and mechanical shear break oil down faster, and the harder the engine works, the sooner that happens.
Water and mud intrusion is the other factor unique to a work machine. If oil comes out milky or frothy, moisture has found its way in, and that oil needs to go. Cold-weather operation is the main reason to think about the first number in a multigrade, since thick oil at startup is when most engine wear occurs. Dusty conditions, meanwhile, put more contaminants into the oil regardless of how gently the machine is driven.
Conventional, Semi-Synthetic, or Full Synthetic
All three are viable. Full synthetic oils generally offer better cold-start flow and better resistance to thermal breakdown, which is meaningful on a machine that plows or tows in summer heat. Conventional oil costs less and remains perfectly suitable for an owner who rides moderately and changes oil on a disciplined schedule. Semi-synthetic blends sit in the middle and are a reasonable compromise for many riders. For a quad that earns its keep, the extra cost of synthetic is usually easy to justify.
Confirming the Exact Spec for Your Machine
Everything above describes what is typical and sensible for this class of ATV. For the precise viscosity, the exact fill quantity, and the specific drivetrain fluid types your 2017 Outlander Max 570 XT calls for, check the owner's manual or ask a dealer. It is a two-minute confirmation, and it is the last step before you buy.
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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.