Polaris Sportsman Oil Change – 2018 450 and 570

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Polaris Sportsman Oil Change – 2018 450 and 570

Polaris Sportsman Oil Change

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.  

When To Complete Polaris Sportsman Oil Change

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.  

Why to Change Oil

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.  

What you will need

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.

Polaris Sportsman Oil Change procedure

1. Position the ATV on a level surface and engage the parking break

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. 

2018 Polaris Sportsman 450 Oil Plug

2. Clean area around drain plug with a clean cloth

It is important to clean around the drain plug to ensure no dirt or debris end up in the crankcase. 

3. Start the engine and allow it to warm up at idle for 2 to 3 minutes.

This will allow the oil to warm and completely drain out.  

4. Stop engine and position oil pan under crankcase.

Because the sportsman holds approximately 2 quarts of oil, you will need an oil pan that can catch at least two quarts of oil. 

5. Using a 6mm Allen socket remove drain plug and allow the oil to drain completely

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.

6. Now inspect drain plug sealing washer and reinstall the drain plug.

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.  

7. Properly torque the drain plug back to specifications listed in the owner's manual.

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.

8. Next place oil drain pane beneath of filter

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.  

9. Using oil filter pliers turn the oil filter counter-clockwise to remove.

Space is extremely tight  you may need the right tool for the job.  We recommend this Oil Filter Wrench you can find here.

10. Now using a clean dry cloth clean the filter sealing surface on the crankcase.

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. 

2018 Polaris Sportsman 450 Oil Filter Lubricate

11. Lubricate the o-ring on the new filter with a film of fresh oil.

You want to lubricate the rubber o-ring to avoid damaging it during installation and ensure a good seal. 

12. Install new oil filter by rotating filter in a clockwise direction by hand.

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. 

2018 Polaris Sportsman 450 add PS-4 Oil

13. Now remove the dipstick and insert the funnel and add Polaris PS-4 full synthetic 5W- 50 oil.

The Polaris Sportsman 450 and 570 each hold approximately two quarts of oil. Do not overfill!

14. Reinstall the dip stick, start the engine and let the motor idle for two minutes.

15. Stop the engine and check for leaks.

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.

16. Finally, check the oil level and ensure oil is at the upper mark of the dip stick.

Now if there are no oil leaks and the dip stick shows full oil level then you are all finished!  

Polaris Sportsman Oil Change Log

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.  

Disclaimer

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