Can-Am Commander DIY service is straightforward, but mind the generation change. The first gen up to 2020 has a different gearbox, a separate rear drive with a different oil, less coolant and a shorter oil interval than the second gen from 2021. The 700 single joined in 2022. So before you buy a Commander tune up kit, know which one you have.
All values come from the BRP operator's guides for the years stated; check your own guide and never mix values between generations or engines. The Maverick Sport and Trail share engines but have their own guides with some different values, so they are not covered here.
| Commander | Engine | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| First gen 800R | Rotax 800R V-twin | 2019 to 2020 |
| First gen 1000R | Rotax 976 cc V-twin | 2019 to 2020 |
| Second gen 1000R | Rotax 976 cc V-twin | 2021 on |
| Second gen 700 | Rotax 650 cc single | 2022 on |
What you need for a Commander service
- Engine oil (all Commanders): BRP XPS 5W-40 synthetic blend for general use, 0W-40 synthetic for cold, 10W-50 synthetic for heat. Otherwise 5W-40 or 10W-50 meeting API SN or JASO MA2 (2021 and later guides); the 2019 to 2020 guides list API SJ, SL, SM or SN.
- Oil with filter: V-twin (800R and 1000R) 2 L (2.1 US qt) per the 2020, 2021 and 2025 guides. 700: 2.7 L (2.85 US qt) per the 2025 guide.
- Oil filter: 420256188, drain plug ring 420552280. BRP part numbers from the 2022 parts catalog, they may have been superseded. The catalog is unclear on the cover O-ring, so match it to your machine.
- Gear oil: XPS 75W-140 synthetic for the gearbox, XPS 75W-90 synthetic for the front diff and the 700 rear drive, or API GL-5 in the same grades. The first gen separate rear drive takes 75W-140.
- Also: spark plugs (table below), copper-based anti-seize, torque wrench, feeler gauge, pan, funnel; 700: new gearbox drain washer.
Commander service intervals
Whichever comes first. Second gen values per the 2025 guide, first gen per the 2020 guide. Severe covers hard use and deep mud.
| Item | Second gen (2021 on) | First gen (2019 to 2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil and filter | every year, 200 h or 3,000 km; severe: 6 months, 100 h or 1,500 km | 3,000 km or 100 h, at least yearly; severe: 1,500 km or 50 h |
| Spark plugs | every 400 h or 6,000 km, regardless of calendar time | every 6,000 km or 200 h |
| Valve clearance | V-twin every year, 200 h or 3,000 km; 700 every two years, 400 h or 6,000 km | every 3,000 km or 100 h |
| Engine air filter | every year, 200 h or 3,000 km; severe: clean every 6 months, 100 h or 1,500 km, replace yearly | inspect and clean every 1,500 km or 50 h; severe: 750 km or 25 h |
| CVT and belt | inspect every year, 200 h or 3,000 km | every 3,000 km or 100 h |
| Gearbox oil | replace at 3,000 km and 6,000 km, then every two years, 400 h or 6,000 km | every 6,000 km or 200 h |
| Front diff, 700 rear drive | every two years, 400 h or 6,000 km | see your guide |
| Coolant | every 5 years or 12,000 km | see your guide |
Miles per the 2025 guide: 1,500 km is 900 mi, 3,000 km 1,900 mi, 6,000 km 3,700 mi, 12,000 km 7,500 mi. The 2020 guide lists 3,000 km as 2,000 mi and 6,000 km as 4,000 mi.
Commander oil change step by step
- On level ground, remove the drain plug and drain the oil.
- Drain plug with a new sealing ring: 30 ± 2 Nm (22 ± 1 lbf·ft), same for V-twin and 700 from 2019 to 2026.
- Replace the filter, fit a new cover O-ring, cover screws 10 ± 1 Nm (89 ± 9 lbf·in) (2020 and 2025 guides).
- Add oil per the capacity above.
- Check the level: V-twin cold on level ground, dipstick fully screwed in; 700 warm after 60 seconds at idle. Level at or near the upper mark (2025 guide).
Spark plugs and other items
Spark plugs by engine
| Engine | Plug | Gap | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| 700 (2022 on) | 1x NGK LMAR8AI-8 | 0.7 to 0.8 mm | 11 Nm (97 lbf·in) |
| 1000R, second gen | 2x NGK LMAR8C-9 | 0.8 to 0.9 mm | 11 Nm (97 lbf·in) |
| 1000R, first gen | 2x NGK LMAR8C-9 | 0.7 to 0.8 mm (2020 guide) | see note |
| 800R, first gen | 2x NGK DCPR8E | 0.7 to 0.8 mm (2020 guide) | see note |
LMAR plugs get copper-based anti-seize on the threads. For the first gen, the BRP guides contradict each other on plug torque, so we give no value here: take it from your guide for the plug type fitted. BRP plugs from the 2022 catalog, may be superseded: 1000R 715900244, 700 715900785.
Gearbox
1000R, second gen: dipstick, fill to the upper mark. Capacity differs between guides, so go by the dipstick. Drain plug 20 ± 2 Nm (15 ± 1 lbf·ft), lubricate the VSS O-ring. The rear diff is inside the gearbox.
700: 0.5 L (0.53 US qt) to the bottom edge of the level hole. Level plug 5 ± 0.6 Nm (44 ± 5 lbf·in), drain plug with a new sealing washer 20 ± 2 Nm (15 ± 1 lbf·ft), VSS screw 10 ± 1 Nm (89 ± 9 lbf·in).
First gen: 450 ml (15 US oz) per the 2020 guide.
Front diff and rear drive
Front diff per the 2025 guide: 400 ml (14 US fl oz), 350 ml with Smart-Lok (Commander XT-P). The first gen takes 500 ml (17 US oz) per the 2020 guide. Fill to the lower edge of the filler hole, filler plug 16.5 ± 2.5 Nm (146 ± 22 lbf·in). Drain plug torque: see your guide.
The 700 has a separate rear drive with 500 ml (16.9 US fl oz) of 75W-90, filler plug 16.5 ± 2.5 Nm (146 ± 22 lbf·in). On the second gen 1000R, the rear drive is in the gearbox. The first gen has a separate rear drive with 280 ml (9.5 US oz) of 75W-140, not 75W-90.
Air filter, CVT and coolant
In dust and sand, clean the air box before every ride; wash the CVT air filter with soap and water. The CVT cover sits in the left rear wheel well, screws 7 ± 0.8 Nm (62 ± 7 lbf·in). Belt arrow forward; no fixed belt interval. Coolant is BRP XPS extended life: 6.7 L (1.77 US gal) per the 2025 guide; first gen 3.85 L (1.02 US gal) for the 800R and 4.25 L (1.12 US gal) for the 1000R.
Reset the maintenance reminder with M-JET DIAGNOSTIC
The first gen shows a maintenance message in the gauge; from 2021 a maintenance icon appears.
You reset it with M-JET DIAGNOSTIC: plug the dongle into the diagnostic connector, pair it with your phone over Bluetooth and run the service reset. Then read ECM and cluster codes in plain language with status, and on the test ride watch live data like engine temperature and battery voltage. Setup help: connect your vehicle to M-JET DIAGNOSTIC.
Keep the power supply stable for resets and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Warning light or power loss afterward? See Can-Am check engine light and Commander limp mode.
Frequently asked questions
How much oil does a Commander take?
With a filter, 2 L (2.1 US qt) for the 800R and 1000R, 2.7 L (2.85 US qt) for the 700 (2025 guide). Check the V-twin cold and the 700 warm.
Do these values apply to the Maverick Sport and Trail?
No. Same engines, but the guides differ in places. Use the guide for your exact machine.
How do I reset the maintenance reminder?
With the service reset in the M-JET DIAGNOSTIC app, which also lets you check fault codes and live data in the same session.
