Can-Am Defender DIY service is easy once you know your variant: singles and V-twins differ in oil capacity, oil check, gearbox and rear drive, and a Defender HD10 tune up kit is no HD7 kit. Covers the Defender, MAX, PRO and Traxter from 2016 to 2026, not the 2026 HD10 Triple and HD11 models (own guide).
All values come from the BRP operator's guides for the years stated; check your own guide and never mix values between variants.
| Variant | Engine | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| HD5 | Rotax 427 cc single | 2017 to 2021 |
| HD7 | Rotax 650 cc single | 2022 on |
| HD8 | Rotax 800 cc V-twin | 2016 to 2021 |
| HD9 | Rotax 976 cc V-twin | 2022 on |
| HD10 | Rotax 976 cc V-twin | 2016 on |
What you need for a Defender service
- Engine oil (all engines): 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 (2022 and later guides); the 2019 to 2021 guides list API SJ, SL, SM or SN.
- Oil filter: 420256188 for HD7, HD9 and HD10. Cover sealing ring 420230920 (HD9, HD10) or 420230922 (HD7), drain plug ring 420552280. BRP part numbers from the 2022 parts catalog, they may have been superseded.
- Gear oil: XPS 75W-140 synthetic for the gearbox, XPS 75W-90 synthetic for the front diff and HD7 rear drive, or API GL-5 in the same grades.
- Also: spark plugs (table below), copper-based anti-seize, torque wrench, feeler gauge, pan, funnel; HD7: new gearbox drain washer.
| Oil with filter | Capacity | Guide year |
|---|---|---|
| HD7 | 2.7 L (2.85 US qt) | 2025, 2026 |
| HD9, HD10 without heater or HVAC | 2.0 L (2.1 US qt) | 2025, 2026 |
| HD9, HD10 with heater or HVAC | 2.1 L (2.22 US qt) | 2025, 2026 |
| HD8, HD10 | 2 L (2.1 US qt) | 2016 to 2021 |
| HD5 (engine and gearbox share the oil) | 3 L | 2017 to 2021 |
Other years: go by your guide and the dipstick.
Defender service intervals
Whichever comes first.
| Item | Normal use | Severe use (hauling, commercial, mud) | Guide year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil and filter, all | every year, 200 h or 3,000 km | every 6 months, 100 h or 1,500 km | 2019 to 2026 (severe: 2025) |
| Spark plugs | 2022 on: every 400 h or 6,000 km, regardless of calendar time; 2019 to 2021: every two years, 6,000 km or 400 h | none listed | 2019 to 2026 |
| Valve clearance | V-twin every year, 200 h or 3,000 km; HD7 every two years, 400 h or 6,000 km | none listed | 2025, 2026 |
| Engine air filter | inspect, clean or replace every year, 200 h or 3,000 km | clean every 6 months, 100 h or 1,500 km, replace yearly | 2025 |
| CVT and belt | inspect every year, 200 h or 3,000 km | none listed | 2025 |
| Gearbox oil | replace at 3,000 km and 6,000 km, then every two years, 400 h or 6,000 km | first changes at 1,500 km and 3,000 km | 2025 |
| Front diff, HD7 rear drive | every two years, 400 h or 6,000 km | none listed | 2025 |
| Coolant | every 5 years or 12,000 km | none listed | 2025 |
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.
Defender 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) on every engine (2021 and 2025 guides).
- Replace the filter, fit a new cover O-ring, oil O-ring and filter seal, cover screws 10 ± 1 Nm (89 ± 9 lbf·in) (2025 guide).
- Add oil per the table.
- Check the level: V-twin (HD8, HD9, HD10) cold, vehicle level, dipstick fully screwed in; HD7 warm after 60 seconds at idle. Level at the upper mark, do not overfill (2025 and 2026 guides).
Spark plugs and other items
Spark plugs by variant
| Variant | Plug | Gap | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD7 (2022 on) | 1x NGK LMAR8AI-8 | 0.7 to 0.8 mm | 11 Nm (97 lbf·in) |
| HD10 (2021 and later guides) | 2x NGK LMAR8C-9 | 0.8 to 0.9 mm | 11 Nm (97 lbf·in) |
| HD10 (2019 guide) | NGK DCPR8E | 0.7 to 0.8 mm | 20 ± 2.4 Nm (15 ± 2 lbf·ft) |
| HD8 (2016 to 2021) | 2x NGK DCPR8E | 0.7 to 0.8 mm (2019 guide), 0.7 to 0.9 mm (2021 guide) | 20 ± 2.4 Nm (15 ± 2 lbf·ft) |
| HD5 (up to 2021) | NGK LMAR8D-J | 0.7 to 0.9 mm (2021 guide) | 11 Nm (97 lbf·in) |
LMAR plugs get copper-based anti-seize on the threads. For the HD9, guide and parts catalog disagree on the plug, so check the plug fitted and take gap and torque for that type from your guide. Same for an HD10 between the 2019 and 2021 guides. BRP plugs from the 2022 catalog, may be superseded: HD10 715900244, HD7 715900785.
Gearbox
HD7 (2022 on): 0.5 L (0.53 US qt), filled to the bottom edge of the level hole, oil warmed by riding. Level plug with O-ring 5 ± 0.6 Nm (44 ± 5 lbf·in), drain plug with a new sealing washer 20 ± 2 Nm (15 ± 1 lbf·ft). Clean the VSS, VSS screw 10 ± 1 Nm (89 ± 9 lbf·in).
HD9 and HD10 (2022 on): dipstick, upper mark, drain plug 20 ± 2 Nm (15 ± 1 lbf·ft). Rear diff is inside the gearbox.
HD8 and HD10 (2016 to 2021): level plug, oil flush with the bottom of the hole. Drain plug 30 ± 3 Nm (22 ± 2 lbf·ft).
V-twin capacities differ between guides: fill by dipstick or level hole.
Front diff and rear drive
Front diff: 400 ml (14 US fl oz) on HD9 and HD10, 350 ml (11.8 US fl oz) on HD7 (2025 and 2026 guides), 400 ml for 2016 to 2021. 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.
Only the HD7 has a separate rear drive: 500 ml (17 US fl oz) of 75W-90. The filler is behind the voltage regulator, with the right rear wheel off. Fill to the lower edge, filler plug 16.5 ± 2.5 Nm (146 ± 22 lbf·in).
Air filter, CVT and coolant
The air filter sits under the cargo box on the right. No compressed air on the paper. Wash the CVT air filter with soap and water. CVT cover on the left, cargo box tilted, screws 7 ± 0.8 Nm (62 ± 7 lbf·in), center top screw first. Belt arrow forward; no fixed belt interval. Coolant per the 2025 guide: HD7 5.5 L (1.46 US gal), HD9 and HD10 6 L (1.59 US gal), with heater or HVAC 6.9 L (1.82 US gal).
Reset the maintenance reminder with M-JET DIAGNOSTIC
Per the 2019 and 2021 guides, MAINTENANCE REQUIRED shows every 200 hours; from 2025 the display shows a maintenance icon.
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 Defender limp mode.
Frequently asked questions
How much oil does a Defender HD10 take?
2.0 L (2.1 US qt), or 2.1 L (2.22 US qt) with heater or HVAC, per the 2025 and 2026 guides; 2 L (2.1 US qt) for 2016 to 2021. Check it cold.
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.
