What Type of Oil a 2021 Can-Am Outlander Max 570 XT Takes — and How to Choose It
Shop parts for a 2021 Can-Am Outlander MAX 570 XT ATV.
Start With What's Under the Plastic: A Liquid-Cooled Four-Stroke Single
The 2021 Can-Am Outlander Max 570 XT is a four-stroke utility quad, and that single fact settles the biggest question before anything else. There is no two-stroke premix to measure, no injection reservoir to top off, and no oil mixed into the fuel. The Rotax-built single-cylinder engine in this machine is liquid-cooled and fed entirely from the crankcase, so every lubrication job on the engine side of the equation comes down to one sump and one filter.
This is a two-up machine with a longer chassis, a passenger seat, and cargo racks front and rear, which tells you something about how it gets used. It is a work and trail ATV, not a sport quad, and the oil guidance that follows is written with plowing, towing, hunting camp duty, and slow technical trail riding in mind rather than wide-open throttle runs.
Viscosity: The Weight That Fits This Class of ATV
Across the 500cc to 600cc four-stroke utility segment, the most commonly specified engine oil viscosity is a 10W-40 or a 5W-40 powersports formulation. Those two weights cover the overwhelming majority of machines in this displacement class, and either is a sound, industry-typical choice for an Outlander 570 when you are buying oil off the shelf.
Multigrade numbers are not arbitrary. The first figure describes how the oil behaves in the cold — a 5W flows more readily on a frosty morning than a 10W, and a 0W-40 is sometimes listed for riders who start their quad in genuinely frigid conditions. The second figure describes viscosity once the engine is at operating temperature, and a 20W-50 occasionally appears in recommendations for very hot climates or for air-cooled engines that run hotter by design. A liquid-cooled 570 does not need to chase that last option, but it is useful to understand why the numbers exist.
Your owner's manual lists the exact viscosity Can-Am specifies for this model, along with the temperature range it is intended to cover. That is a thirty-second check and worth doing once so you know you are buying the right jug every time after.
Why the Transmission Type Shapes Your Oil Choice
The Outlander Max 570 XT uses a belt-driven continuously variable transmission, and the belt itself runs dry — it is not bathed in engine oil the way a wet-clutch motorcycle setup would be. That distinction matters, because it means you are not choosing an oil primarily to keep a belt happy.
What you are doing is feeding an engine that shares its sump with the internal gearbox and a wet clutch element in the driveline. Because of that shared lubrication, a JASO MA or MA2 rated powersports oil is the correct category to shop in. These oils are formulated with friction characteristics that let a wet clutch engage cleanly, and they carry the additive package a high-revving single needs.
Automotive oils marketed as "energy conserving" are the ones to avoid here. Their friction modifiers are designed for car engines and can cause a wet clutch to slip or grab inconsistently. A dedicated powersports oil sidesteps the problem entirely, and following the manufacturer's own branded recommendation is a perfectly reasonable default if you would rather not think about it.
Drivetrain Fluids Live in Their Own Compartments
Engine oil is only part of the picture on a four-wheel-drive utility quad. This machine has a front differential and a rear gearcase or final drive, each with its own fill and drain, each serviced on its own schedule, and neither one sharing fluid with the engine.
Hypoid gear oil in the 80W-90 range is the common specification for these components across the utility ATV segment. The front differential deserves a little extra attention, because on models that use a limited-slip or engagement system to bring the front wheels in, the fluid inside that housing is part of how the system functions. Putting a generic gear oil where a model-specific front drive fluid belongs can change how — or whether — four-wheel drive engages. Check the manual for the front diff specifically rather than assuming the same fluid goes in both ends.
Hard Work Is Harder on Oil Than Trail Riding
Plowing a driveway, dragging a loaded trailer, crawling through mud, fording water, and idling for long stretches while you work all put more stress on engine oil than a casual afternoon ride. Heat cycles accumulate faster, contamination builds sooner, and the additive package depletes at a quicker rate.
Water and mud intrusion is the one to watch for. If the oil on the dipstick looks milky or frothy rather than dark and translucent, moisture has found its way in, and that is a sign to change the oil rather than top it off. Cold-weather operation is the other practical consideration, and it is the main reason a lower first number in the multigrade rating is worth having if your quad sees winter duty.
Synthetic Versus Conventional: A Straightforward Tradeoff
Synthetic oils generally flow better on cold starts and hold up longer under sustained heat, which suits a machine that works hard in summer and sits outside in January. Conventional oil costs less, still meets the specification, and is entirely adequate for many owners who change it on a sensible schedule. Semi-synthetic sits between the two and is a common middle ground. None of these choices will hurt the engine as long as the viscosity and the JASO rating are right.
Confirming the Exact Numbers for Your Machine
Everything above describes what is typical and appropriate for this class of ATV. The precise viscosity, the exact fill quantity, and the specific fluid for the front differential are all listed in your owner's manual, and a dealer parts counter can confirm them in a minute if the manual has wandered off. Treat that as a quick verification step, not a reason to delay an oil change you already know the machine needs.
Related Shopping Categories
Shop Oils and Fluids for a 2021 Can-Am Outlander MAX 570 XT ATV.
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Shop Air Filters and Oil for a 2021 Can-Am Outlander MAX 570 XT ATV.
Shop Transmission for a 2021 Can-Am Outlander MAX 570 XT ATV.
Shop Oil Filters for a 2021 Can-Am Outlander MAX 570 XT 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.