How to Change the Oil on a 2020 Can-Am Commander 1000 XT

Changing the oil on your Can-Am Commander is one of those maintenance jobs where getting to the filter can take more effort than actually changing it.

Hey everyone, Chris here with Ignited by Nature. In this guide, I’m walking through the oil change on my 2020 Can-Am Commander 1000 XT, including two ways to access the oil filter. After trying the interior panel route, I found accessing it from behind the raised cargo bed much easier.

If you’re getting ready to tackle this job yourself, here’s what I used and what I learned along the way.

Tools and Supplies

For the oil change shown in my video, I used:

• 8 mm socket for the oil filter cover bolts

• 17 mm socket for the engine oil drain plug

• Ratchet and suitable extensions

• Plastic rivet removal tool

• Torque wrench suitable for the specified fasteners

• Oil drain pan

• Funnel and shop towels

• Compatible replacement oil filter

• Replacement oil filter cover O-ring

• Replacement drain plug sealing washer

• Engine oil meeting the requirements for your exact model

My oil change kit included the filter and replacement seals. Check compatibility before ordering, since a kit labeled for a Commander may cover different years or engines.

A note about oil quantity: In the video, I mention two different amounts. Don’t use those estimates as the fill specification. Follow your model’s operator’s guide for capacity, oil requirements, and the correct dipstick checking procedure. BRP provides the 2020 Commander Series operator’s guide here.

Two Ways to Access the Oil Filter

Before draining anything, decide how you want to reach the oil filter cover.

Option 1: Remove the Interior Covers

In the video, I first remove the seats and interior covers to access the filter.

This involves removing multiple plastic rivets, followed by maneuvering the covers out from around the surrounding structure. It works, but I found it frustrating, especially when trying to get everything back into position afterward.

A plastic rivet removal tool makes this part much easier. Work carefully so you can reuse the fasteners without damaging them.

If you already have those panels off for another maintenance job, this route might make sense. For an oil change alone, I preferred the other approach.

Option 2: Access the Filter From Behind the Raised Bed

With the cargo bed raised, I could reach toward the filter cover from the rear, near the dipstick area.

In my video, I remove the bed support connection pin to gain additional clearance. Before disconnecting any bed support, securely support the bed with an appropriate mechanical support. Keep it supported throughout the job.

This approach gave me access to the filter without having to remove and reinstall all those interior panels. It’s the route I would choose next time on my machine.

Step 1: Prepare the Commander

Park on a level surface, select Park, and let the engine warm according to the operator’s guide before shutting it off.

Have your drain pan, replacement filter, seals, and tools ready before opening anything. Warm oil can burn, so give yourself room to work and avoid hot exhaust components.

Step 2: Drain the Engine Oil

Locate the engine oil drain plug underneath the machine. On my Commander, I used a 17 mm socket to remove it.

Position the drain pan before loosening the plug, then remove it and allow the oil to drain.

This part can get messy quickly, as you’ll see in the video. A wide drain pan and a few shop towels are worth having nearby.

Step 3: Inspect the Drain Plug and Replace the Washer

My drain plug has a magnetic tip, so I cleaned it and checked for debris before reinstalling it.

Inspect the plug and threads, and replace the sealing washer with the correct new part. If you find metal fragments or an unusual amount of debris, investigate before returning the machine to use.

Once the oil has finished draining, reinstall the plug. Start it by hand to avoid cross-threading, then tighten it to the model-specific torque specification.

Step 4: Remove the Oil Filter Cover

Using your chosen access route, locate the oil filter cover.

On my machine, the cover is secured by three bolts with 8 mm heads. The lower bolt is a little awkward to reach, so take your time positioning the socket.

Remove the bolts and carefully lift off the cover. Have a towel or suitable catch container underneath for any remaining oil.

Step 5: Replace the Filter and Cover O-Ring

Remove the old filter and the old cover O-ring.

Clean the sealing surfaces carefully, keeping dirt out of the filter housing. Install the correct replacement filter in the proper orientation, then fit the new O-ring into its groove.

Apply a light coat of clean engine oil to the new O-ring. Make sure it sits evenly and isn’t twisted or pinched.

Reinstall the cover, start all three bolts by hand, and tighten them evenly to the specified torque. These are small fasteners, so use the proper specification rather than guessing by feel.

Step 6: Refill With Engine Oil

With the drain plug and filter cover installed, add the correct engine oil through the fill opening.

I used SAE 5W-40 in the video, but confirm the required oil specification for your machine and operating conditions.

Use the manual’s refill quantity and checking procedure. Add oil carefully as you approach the correct level, and avoid overfilling. An initial dipstick reading alone doesn’t replace the complete post-service checking procedure.

Step 7: Check for Leaks and Recheck the Level

Follow the operator’s guide for running the engine and checking the oil after an oil change.

Inspect both the drain plug and oil filter cover for leaks. Shut the engine off and recheck the level using the specified waiting time and dipstick procedure. Adjust as needed without exceeding the maximum mark.

Step 8: Reassemble Everything

If you disconnected the bed support connection, reinstall and secure it before removing the additional mechanical support. Verify that the bed operates and latches correctly.

If you used the interior access route, reinstall the covers, heat shielding, plastic rivets, and seats. Make sure everything is properly seated and secured.

Finally, take the used oil and filter to an appropriate recycling facility.

What I Would Do Differently Next Time

The biggest lesson from this oil change was about access.

Removing the interior covers worked, but dealing with the plastic rivets and fitting the panels back into place took extra effort. On my 2020 Commander, reaching the filter from behind the safely supported cargo bed was easier.

If you choose the interior route, get a rivet removal tool first. It’s a small tool that can save a lot of frustration.

Watch the accompanying video for a closer look at both access options and the filter location on my machine.

Have you found an easier way to change the oil on