Doing your own Can-Am Spyder service is not hard, but the Rotax 1330 ACE has a few quirks: a dry sump with a separate oil tank, two drain plugs and an oil level check that is only accurate when hot. The Spyder RT and Spyder F3 share the engine service data. The values here come from the BRP operator's guide for the Spyder RT and F3, model years 2021 and 2025. Where the two years differ, it is noted. Check the operator's guide for your own machine before you start.
What you need
- Engine oil MY2025: XPS 5W40 synthetic, or a synthetic 4-stroke oil meeting API SN or JASO MA2.
- Engine oil MY2021: XPS 4T 5W40 synthetic blend, or a 5W40 synthetic meeting API SJ, SL, SM or SN. Heads up: the label on MY2025 bikes still says synthetic blend, while the guide says synthetic.
- One oil for everything: engine, gearbox, clutch and, on the SE6 semi-automatic, the HCM all run on the same oil. There is no separate gearbox oil.
- Oil capacity: with engine oil filter 4.7 L (5 US qt). With engine filter and HCM filter 4.9 L (5.2 US qt), SE6 models only.
- Filters: microglass engine oil filter under a threaded cover with O-rings, which get replaced. Your dealer has the matching BRP oil change kit.
- Seals: new sealing washers or O-rings for both drain plugs.
- Tools: two drain pans or one big one, torque wrench for low and mid values, funnel, rags and a bungee cord to hold the brake fluid reservoir out of the way during the filter change.
Service intervals
| Item | MY2021 | MY2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Break-in inspection with oil and filter | at 5,000 km (3,000 mi) | at 5,000 km (3,000 mi) |
| Engine oil and filter after that | every year or 15,000 km (9,300 mi) | every year or 15,000 km (9,300 mi) |
| Check oil level | every 1,500 km (1,000 mi) | every 1,500 km (1,000 mi) |
| HCM oil filter (SE6 only) | every 45,000 km (28,000 mi) | every 45,000 km (28,000 mi) |
| Spark plugs | every 45,000 km (28,000 mi) | every 5 years or 45,000 km (28,000 mi) |
| Air filter | replace every 30,000 km (19,000 mi), dusty or wet every 15,000 km (9,300 mi) | replace per the 30,000 or 45,000 km column, dusty or wet every 15,000 km |
| Coolant | every 5 years or 45,000 km | every 5 years or 50,000 km (30,000 mi) |
Oil change step by step
- Park the Spyder on level ground. Put a drain pan under both drain points.
- Remove the drain plug on the oil sump cover and the magnetic drain plug on the clutch cover and let the oil drain completely. Look at the magnetic plug for metal particles.
- Reinstall both plugs with new sealing washers or O-rings. Oil sump cover: 28 ± 2 Nm (21 ± 1 lbf·ft). Magnetic drain plug on the clutch cover: 20 ± 1 Nm (15 ± 1 lbf·ft) per the RT guide; the F3 guide lists 20 ± 2 Nm.
- To reach the oil filter, move the brake fluid reservoir aside and secure it with a bungee cord. Remove the filter cover, replace the filter and the O-rings.
- Torque the oil filter cover to 25 ± 3 Nm (18 ± 2 lbf·ft).
- Fill with oil: 4.7 L with engine filter, 4.9 L if you also replaced the HCM filter on an SE6.
- Do the hot oil level check described below and correct if needed.
How to do the Spyder oil check right
This is where most owners go wrong. Per the MY2025 guide, ride at least 15 km, let the engine idle for 10 minutes, shut it off and read the level within 2 minutes with the dipstick screwed in all the way. The MY2021 F3 guide calls for at least 20 seconds of idle. Checking cold leads to overfilling. There are only 500 ml (17 US fl oz) between MIN and MAX, so don't pour in a whole quart to be safe.
Spark plugs and other items
Spark plugs
The engine uses 3x NGK MR7BI-8 (iridium) or equivalent, gapped at 0.7 to 0.8 mm (.028 to .031 in). The operator's guide gives no torque spec because plug replacement on the Spyder is treated as a dealer job. Don't guess a number; if in doubt, let the dealer do it. The interval is long: every 45,000 km, and from MY2025 every 5 years or 45,000 km.
Air filter
Paper element: no compressed air and no washing. Clean the housing when you replace it. Air filter cover screws: 3 ± 0.5 Nm (27 ± 4 lbf·in), so just snug.
Coolant
XPS Extended Life pre-mixed coolant, or a low-silicate extended-life 50/50 ethylene glycol coolant for aluminum engines. Capacity 4.2 L (1.1 US gal). The interval changed between MY2021 and MY2025, see the table.
Drive belt
The Spyder runs a carbon-reinforced final drive belt. What you can check yourself is alignment and wear by eye: per the wear chart, hairline cracks are fine, while chipped or missing teeth or cracks reaching the edge mean replacement. Belt tension, the scheduled condition check and alignment adjustment are listed as dealer tasks.
Reset the maintenance reminder with M-JET DIAGNOSTIC
Once the oil change is done, use M-JET DIAGNOSTIC to reset the service from the app and see engine hours, odometer and next service under vehicle data. Use the moment for the post-service check: read the fault memory, look at the code status and keep an eye on engine temperature and battery voltage in live data while you ride the bike warm for the oil check. Always run the service reset and tests on a stable power supply and per the manufacturer's instructions.
If a warning light comes on afterward, see warning light on the Can-Am Ryker, Spyder or Canyon. If the Spyder goes into limp mode after battery work, read Spyder and Ryker limp mode. Practical tips for the app are in the buying guide for the Ryker, Spyder and Canyon.
Frequently asked questions
How much oil does a Can-Am Spyder RT take?
4.7 L (5 US qt) with the engine oil filter. On an SE6 it is 4.9 L (5.2 US qt) when you also change the HCM filter. What counts is the level, checked hot.
Why does the dipstick read low after an oil change?
Usually it was checked cold. The 1330 ACE is a dry-sump engine, so ride it warm first and check within 2 minutes of shutting it off.
Does the Spyder need gearbox oil?
No. Gearbox and clutch run on engine oil, and on the SE6 so does the HCM.
