How To Change The Oil On A Polaris Ranger - A Comprehensive Guide

Here at Kemimoto, we believe that performing regular oil changes is essential for optimizing the performance and maintaining the longevity of your Polaris Ranger. 

Fortunately, it’s a relatively straightforward process. 

All you need is around a half hour, a few basic tools, and the appropriate oil. Today, we’re going to take you through our step-by-step guide to help you change the oil in your Polaris Ranger like a pro!

The first thing you’ll want to get together is your tools, which should include:

• Oil Pan
• Oil Funnel Kit
• Funnel
• Torque Rench
• Shop Rags
• Ratchet
• 6mm Allen Socket
• Oil Change Kit
• 2.5” Oil Filter Wrench
• Nitrile Gloves
• Safety Glasses

Now that you’re ready to roll with the proper tools, let’s dive in.

• How Often Should You Change The Oil In A Polaris Ranger?
  
• How Much Oil Does A Polaris Ranger Take?
• How To Change The Oil In A Polaris Ranger Step-by-Step?
• How To Change Oil In A Polaris Ranger 500?
• How To Change Oil In A Polaris Ranger 800？
• How To Change Oil In A Polaris Ranger 900？
• How To Change Oil In A 2021 Polaris Ranger 1000？
  
• Conclusion
• FAQs

How Often Should You Change The Oil In A Polaris Ranger?

After your Ranger’s initial break-in period, it is important to regularly change the oil and filter. 

We highly recommend changing it either every 1,000 miles, every 100 hours of operation, or every six months — whichever occurs first. 

Remember to replace the filter each time you change the oil to ensure optimal performance!

How Much Oil Does A Polaris Ranger Take?

A standard Polaris Ranger has an oil capacity of approximately 2.5 quarts.

Here's a pro tip: If you’re using the Polaris Oil Changing Kit, to get the proper oil level, start by pouring in two quarts from your oil container and then utilize around half of the included half-quart container.

How To Change The Oil In A Polaris Ranger Step-by-Step?

The way in which you change the oil will differ slightly depending on the Polaris Ranger model you have. 

How To Change Oil In A Polaris Ranger 500?

After putting on your protective gear, including your safety glasses and nitrile gloves, locate the crankcase drain plug situated at the bottom of the crankcase underneath the vehicle. 

Once you’ve found it, you can continue with the step-by-step instructions:

1. Start by parking your Ranger on a level surface.

2. Start up your engine and idle it for a few minutes to warm up before turning it off.

3. Lift the cargo box to access the engine. Clean the oil cap’s surrounding area before removing it.

4. Position your oil-draining pan beneath the crankcase. To prevent oil splashing, place a cloth in the drain pan’s bottom.

5. Using an Allen socket (6mm), carefully remove your drain plug to drain the oil.

6. Use your 2.5” wrench to remove the oil filter, spinning it counterclockwise.

 

7. Wipe the crankcase’s filter sealing surface using a dry cloth and remove the old filter O-ring. Apply a bit of engine oil to lubricate it.

8. Install your brand-new filter by rotating it clockwise. Turn until the sealing surface contacts the filter gasket, then turn once more. The Ranger 500 oil filter part number is 2540086.

9. Install your brand-new sealing washer atop your drain plug and reinstall your drain plug using the 6mm Allen socket.

10. Add two quarts of Polaris PS-4 Full Synthetic. 

11. Replace the engine oil dipstick and oil fill cap and start up your engine. Let it idle for about two minutes before turning it off.

12. Look for signs of leakage and wipe down the area surrounding the engine oil dipstick.

13. Remove the dipstick, check your oil level, and pour more oil in if needed to reach the higher dipstick mark.

Again, you’ll want to make sure to change your oil in your Polaris Ranger 500 every 1,000 miles, 100 operating hours, or six months.

How To Change Oil In A Polaris Ranger 800？

1. Park your Polaris Ranger 800 on flat ground

2. Start up your engine and idle it for two minutes before turning it off.

3. Place your oil drain pan underneath the crankcase.

4. Clean around your drain plug.

5. Use an Allen socket (6mm) to remove your drain plug to drain the oil.

6. Install your brand-new sealing washer on your drain plug and make sure the crankcase and drain plug sealing surfaces are clean before reinstalling your drain plug.

7. Pull the front of the seat up and slide it forward to remove it.

8. Position your shop towels underneath your oil filter and use your 2.5” wrench to remove the filter.

 

9. Clean the sealing surface of your filter on the crankcase using a dry cloth.

10. Apply a small amount of engine oil to lubricate your new filter’s O-ring and make sure it’s in solid condition. 

11. Install your new filter and hand-tighten it so that your sealing surface comes in contact with the gasket before giving it another slight turn.

12. Wipe down the dipstick area near the rear wheel well on the driver’s side. Then, remove your dipstick to fill it with two quarts of Polaris PS-4 5W-50 Oil.

13. Start up your engine and idle it for a few minutes.

14. Turn the vehicle off and check for any signs of leakage.

15. Using your dipstick, see if adding oil is necessary to reach the upper mark. 

16. Slide the tabs into the seat base’s rear to reinstall it. Then, push the front down until you seat the pins into the large grommets.

How To Change Oil In A Polaris Ranger 900？

• Park your Ranger on a level surface and start up your engine, letting it idle for two minutes. Then, turn it off.

• Clean the drain plug area.

• Place your drain pan beneath the crankcase and use an  Allen socket (6mm) to remove your drain plug to drain the oil.

• Reinstall your sealing washer onto your drain plug and tighten it using an Allen socket (6mm) to a torque of 12 ft-lbs.

• Use a T40 TORX® socket to remove the heat shield.

• Remove the oil filter by utilizing a cap-style oil filter wrench in a counterclockwise motion.

• Use a dry cloth to clean the filter’s sealing surface on the crankcase and remove the old filter O-ring.

• Apply a bit of engine oil to lubricate your new filter’s O-ring.

• Install your new filter and hand-tighten it so the sealing surface comes in contact with the gasket before giving it another slight turn. Fill with two quarts (1.9 L) of Polaris PS-4 5W-50 Oil.

• Reinstall the heat shield with the T40 TORX® socket.

• Start up your engine and idle it for a few minutes.

• Then, turn it off and look for leaks.

• Recheck your dipstick’s oil level and pour more oil in if necessary to reach the higher mark.

How To Change Oil In A 2021 Polaris Ranger 1000？

1. Park your Polaris Ranger 1000 on a level surface and start up your engine to let it idle for two minutes. Then, turn off the engine.

2. Clean your drain plug area and place your drain pan underneath the crankcase. Use an Allen socket (6mm) to remove your drain plug.

3. Drain the oil.

4. Reinstall your sealing washer onto your drain plug.

5. Tighten your drain plug with an Allen socket (6mm) to a torque of 12 ft-lbs.

6. Use a T40 TORX® socket to remove the heat shield.

7. Turn the oil filter counterclockwise using your oil filter wrench.

8. Use a dry cloth to clean the crankcase’s filter sealing.

9. Apply a small amount of engine oil to lubricate your new filter’s O-ring and verify that it’s in solid condition.

10. Install your brand-new filter and hand-tighten it so that the sealing surface comes in contact with the gasket before giving it another slight turn.

11. Reinstall the heat shield using the T40 TORX® socket.

12. Prior to removing the dipstick (or oil fill cap), clean the surrounding area to remove any dirt or debris. Fill with two quarts (1.9 L) of Polaris PS-4 5W-50 Oil.

13. Start up your engine and idle for two minutes.

14. Stop your engine and look around for leaks.

15. Recheck your dipstick’s oil level and pour more oil in if necessary to reach the higher mark.

Conclusion

Changing the oil on your Polaris Ranger is essential for its longevity and performance. 

With our step-by-step guide provided, you can now change the oil in Polaris Ranger by yourself! And please always follow the recommended oil change intervals and use the appropriate oil and filter specified for your model.

Now do it yourself and accessorize your vehicle with our Polaris Ranger Accessories for the coming adventure!

FAQs

• Does a Polaris Ranger have transmission fluid?

Yes. The transmission fluid is responsible for lubricating the transmission’s internal components. 

• How often to change the transmission fluid in Polaris Ranger 1000?

According to Polaris, you should change your transmission fluid in your Polaris Ranger 1000 every 100 hours of operation or every six months, whichever comes first. When servicing your Ranger, always wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves as we mentioned above.

• How do you reset a polaris ranger after an oil change?

To reset the oil change indicator on your Polaris Ranger after you’ve finished your oil change, follow these general steps:

1. Start up your engine and allow it to idle.

2. Locate the "Mode" button on the instrument cluster.

3. Press and hold the "Mode" button until the service interval screen appears.

4. Use the "Mode" button to navigate to the "Service Hours" or "Oil Change" option.

5. Press and hold the "Mode" button again to reset the service interval.

6. Continue holding the button until the service interval resets to 0 or a confirmation message appears.

7. Release the "Mode" button.

Note that the exact steps will depend on the exact model.

• How do you drain the oil on a Polaris Ranger?

To drain your oil on your Polaris Ranger, carefully loosen and remove your drain plug using the appropriate socket or wrench and allow the oil to fully drain from the crankcase into the drain pan. This may take a few minutes.

• How do you drain oil without removing the plug?

You can drain your oil without removing the plug by using an oil extraction pump or vacuum. Simply insert the suction tube into the dipstick tube, attach the other end of the extraction pump or vacuum to a container to collect the oil, and start pumping.

• How many quarts of oil does a 2021 Polaris Ranger 1000 take?

The 2021 Polaris Ranger 1000 typically requires approximately 2.5 quarts of oil for an oil change.