How To Change the Oil in Your ATV or UTV

When you change your oil depends on how often you use your ATV and the quality of the oil that you have inside it. Owners who ride every day and use $1.00 per quart "big box" oil will be changing oil once a week. Others who ride less frequently and use high-grade petroleum or synthetic oil may go an entire season before needing a change.

The best way to determine if you need a change is to pull the dipstick at the end of every trail riding session and check out the color of the oil.

• The correct replacement oil and oil filter
• Drain pan
• Socket set and ratchet
• Oil filter wrench
• Funnel
• Screwdriver
• Disposable rags

An oil change is a great opportunity to take a few minutes and get rid of the dirt, weeds and other debris from beneath your ride. The oil is actually going to drain through a hole in the skid plate and if that hole is clogged you're going to have your very own BP spill to deal with.

In some ATV models, access to the drain and filter are pretty easy but in some models you will need every mm of clearance to reach a plug or a filter. If those spaces are clogged with debris your oil change can become a level 5 out of 10 pretty quickly.

The process we list here is specifically for a Yamaha Grizzly 660 but the steps are the same for just about any model. What will be different is the location of the drain plug and oil tank as well as the oil filter. Refer to your owner's manual for the specific location of those items.

1. Run your engine for 10 minutes to warm up the oil so it will flow easily out of the engine.
2. In order to get access to the oil filter you're going to have to remove some panels. Start by removing the seat. At the rear of the seat, there is a latch. Pull up on the latch and then pull the seat back and up to disengage the tabs at the front of the seat.
3. On the right side of the ATV, remove the side panel. This is a snap-on snap-off panel so no tools are required.
4. The last piece to be removed is the cover located directly below the side panel. This has about 7 bolts that need to be removed. With the cover off you now have easy access to the filter and the dipstick.
5. Remove the dipstick. This will equalize the pressure inside the engine and allow for faster draining.
6. Locate the drain plug at the bottom of the engine. Note that the oil will drain from the engine through a hole in the skid plate. Make sure that the hole is clear of debris and that your drain pan is directly beneath it.
7. Unscrew the drain plug with a socket until you get it to the point where you can finish the job by hand. Using your fingers unscrew the plug applying upwards pressure until you feel the thread clear and then remove your hand quickly. Let the oil drain.
8. The oil filter on a Grizzly is mounted horizontally and will require a filter wrench to remove. Because it's horizontal and somewhat recessed you want to use a screwdriver to stuff rags under the filter to catch the oil. Wrench the old filer out.

1. Once the oil has drained screw the drain plug back in and tighten (but do not over-tighten).
2. Use a little new oil to lubricate the O ring on the replacement filter and screw the filter into place. You can start this installation using your hand but you will have to finish it with the filter wrench.
3. You're ready to add oil. Place the funnel in the oil take and pour 2 quarts.
4. Turn on the engine for 5 to 10 seconds to circulate the oil into the engine.
5. Check the dipstick and see what the level is. Normally you will have to add additional oil equal to the amount of oil that filled the engine. Continue to pour oil and check the dipstick until it reads full.
6. Reassemble the cover and side panel, and reinstall the seat.

That's it. Remember to recycle/dispose of the old oil responsibly.

- End of Procedure -

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