What Kind Of Oil Does An Arctic Cat ATV Take?

With so many types of oil on the market, it's important to know what kind of oil your particular ATV requires. All types of oil serve roughly the same purpose, but not all types of oil are suitable for every type of ATV engine. Using the wrong oil could result in severe damage to your ATV. So, what kind of oil does an Arctic Cat ATV take? We've done the research to get the answer for you.

Arctic Cat recommends three types of oil for their ATVs:

  • 10W40 ATV Engine Oil
  • ACX 0W-40 Synthetic Oil
  • ACX 15W-50 Synthetic Oil

How do you choose the right oil for your Arctic Cat ATV from that list? In this post, we'll discuss the different types of oil, and delve into which oil is best for your riding style and how often you should change ATV oil. Keep reading, and we will also explain how to change the oil on two of Arctic Cat's most popular ATVs.

What Kind Of Oil Does An Arctic Cat ATV Take?

Breakdown Of Arctic Cat Engine Oil Types

No matter what kind of machine we're talking about, they all need some type of lubrication to work properly. Without lubrication, metal parts grind against each other and become broken and worn out. Engine oil lubricates engines. Below, we'll get into the specifics of each type of oil that Arctic Cat recommends for their ATVs.

Two atvs in desert, quadbike

10W40 ATV Engine Oil

The cheapest Arctic Cat ATV engine oil option is 10W40. This a conventional oil for Arctic Cat ATV engines. Like any other oil, 10W40 optimizes transmission protection and decreases component wear by lubricating all the metal parts that make up your engine and drivetrain.

ACX 0W-40 Synthetic Oil

Synthetic oils are becoming increasingly popular across all types of engines. While synthetic oil is not always required, many people prefer to use synthetic oil due to its increased performance capabilities and other benefits that these types of oil provide.

One of the significant benefits of ACX 0W-40 oil is advanced rust and corrosion inhibition, meaning that this oil contains compounds to prevent the internal workings of your engine from becoming rusty or building-up corrosion. As you can imagine, this means that your engine could have a longer life compared to using conventional oil.

If you ride your ATV during cold weather, ACX 0W-40 will provide better performance than conventional oil. Specifically, cold starting your engine will be easier.

On the downside, ACX 0W-40 oil is typically more expensive than 10W40 conventional ATV oil.

Click this link to find ACX 0W-40 Synthetic ATV Oil on Amazon.

ACX 15W-50 Synthetic Oil

ACX 15W-50 is a new, full synthetic formula with a heavier viscosity than the original ACX 0W-40 synthetic oil. Whereas ACX 0W-40 offers better performance in cold weather, ACX 15W-50 is specially formulated for hot weather. 

Hotter weather means hotter engines, and ACX 15W-50 prevents thermal breakdowns under extreme heat. This oil will deliver the best high-temperature engine protection of the three oils discussed here. 

Although this oil will outperform ACX 0W-40 and 10W40 oils in hotter environments, it is not recommended for use when the ambient temperature is below 32 °F because the heavier viscosity will make cold starting more difficult.

Can I Use Regular Motor Oil In My ATV?

Worker pours new synthetic motor oil from canister into funnel at car service

Some claim that using regular motor oil in an ATV is perfectly fine. However, you may want to consider sticking with specialized ATV oils for a few reasons.

For starters, ATV oil is specifically designed for use in an ATV. Most ATV manufacturers even make their own brand of oil, formulated for optimum performance of their ATVs. Your ATV operates under significantly different conditions and environments than your car or truck typically do, so ATV engine components have different needs.

Another benefit of using ATV specific oils is that these specially formulated oils also lubricate the transmission. Properly functioning transmission is essential to your ATV's performance and engine longevity. This is different from oils used in a car or truck because a separate fluid is used to lubricate the transmission.

Changing The Oil In An Arctic Cat ATV

A rider driving the atv with headlight on going through the forest

As machines operate, dirt, dust, metal filings, and other types of contaminants work their way into the oil. To keep your ATV running at peak performance and to ensure it has the longest life possible, it's crucial to perform regular maintenance such as changing your oil.

Changing the oil in your ATV is a pretty simple task, and doing it yourself can save you both time and money. Read on to learn more about changing the oil in an Arctic Cat ATV.

How Often Should You Change The Oil In An ATV?

ATV Quad Bike in front of mountains landscape, What Kind Of Oil Does An Arctic Cat ATV Take?

The owner's manual for your ATV should include a detailed, preventative maintenance section. This manual section should include everything you need to know about changing the oil on your specific ATV. 

As a general rule, most ATVs will need to have their oil changed every 50 to 100 operating hours. Depending upon riding conditions, you may need to change your oil more or less frequently. Consult the owner's manual to find out what Arctic Cat recommends for your ATV.

How Do You Change The Oil In An Arctic Cat 500? 

ATV quad wheel and oil can used for lubricating quad bike at desert repair station at Merzouga

One of the most popular Arctic Cat ATVs is the Arctic Cat 500. The Arctic Cat 500's last production year was 2017, but there are still a lot of these ATVs out on the trails.

Changing the oil in an Arctic Cat 500 is a simple job.

  1. Remove the side cover to gain access to the dipstick.
  2. Remove the dipstick, and place an oil pan under the drain plug of the ATV. 
  3. Use a 19-millimeter socket to remove the drain bolt. Once you un-thread the drain bolt, the engine oil will begin to drain out of the engine. 
  4. While you are waiting for the oil to drain, check the condition of the crush washer. If the crush washer is damaged or missing, replace it with a new one to prevent oil leaks in the future.
  5. Once all the oil has drained out, use your 19-millimeter socket to reinstall the drain bolt. Torque the drain bolt to 21 foot-pounds.
  6. Use a 65-millimeter oil filter wrench to remove the old oil filter.
  7. Thread the new oil filter into place, and torque it to 12 foot-pounds.
  8. Consult your owner's manual to find out how much oil your ATV needs. Pour the appropriate amount of oil into the dipstick port. 
  9. Reinstall your dipstick and start the engine. Allow the engine to idle for a few minutes to circulate the oil through the system.
  10. Shut the engine off and give the engine a few more minutes for the oil to settle to the bottom of the crankcase.
  11. Use the dipstick to check the oil level and confirm that you have put in the correct amount of oil.
  12. Reinstall the side cover.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=WHigRjkiUx8

How Do You Change The Oil In An Arctic Cat 700?

Arctic Cat also makes 700 series ATVs. Changing the oil in an Arctic Cat 700 is very similar to changing the oil in an Arctic Cat 500.

To change the oil in an Arctic Cat 700, follow the same simple procedure. Start by removing the dipstick, then the drain bolt (don't forget your oil pan!). After the oil has drained out, reinstall the drain bolt and change the oil filter. Remember to torque your bolts to the correct specs. Next, fill the engine with the amount of oil your user's manual recommends, and reinstall the dipstick. Let the engine run long enough to circulate oil through the system, then shut it off and let the oil settle. Check the oil level on the dipstick to confirm that you have put in enough oil. 

In Conclusion

A man riding an ATV

There are three types of oil that Arctic Cat recommends for its ATVs: 10W40 ATV Engine Oil, ACX 0W-40 Synthetic Oil, and ACX 15W-50 Synthetic Oil. The oil that you should use is dependent upon in what kind of conditions you run your ATV. Change your engine oil at least every 50 to 100 operating hours, and for best performance and engine life, only use oil formulated specifically for your ATV.

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  1. The average hydraulic system is made up of a variety of parts that operate cylinders and valves. Additionally, most of these parts are controlled by hydraulic pressures developed by pumps. Sluggish oil or contamination can cause problems with the proper operation of these parts and severely impair their efficiency. Maximizing economic production requires a fluid medium that acts uniformly, quickly, and with undiluted effectiveness at all times.

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