Honda Pioneer 500 Oil Change Guide

[Gbikes]

Awesome post . Wish they made a hop up for the p5 exhaust or something . And some fox shocks too .

 

[solrus]

DId 100 miles oil change today. Went fine, also found very tight 3 screws holding passenger seat. Most likely will drill out 3" opening where the oil drain plug for easy access.

 

[randye]

Changed my engine oil for the first time this evening after work. Honda definetely has made access to do this WAY more difficult than it should be! Remove all the clips and three screws just to access the oil filter.REALLY! A smaller plate inside of the seat bottom apparatus would easily do the same trick,and a lot faster. Yes,I too had a fight with the three phillips head screws. Stripped the top on one too. Figured out to take a small cold chisel to the screws-a couple raps with a hammer and they loosen easily. Also,honda no longer gives you the two o rings with the filter(they used to be included on other models) I have owned. Engineers need their head examined sometimes on how they build things,and make simple maintenance so complicated and time consuming. Love the machine however,just mad at why they try to MAKE you take it to the dealer to do anything anymore.

 

[Buryit]

Buying a good quality screw driver helps, had no issues. Well other than I ended up with 1 extra clip......

 

[p500fan]

I've performed 3 full services on my P500. I have thought everything was easily accessible except for the oil filter. The rest of the procedure can be done in about the same time it takes to get to, and change out the oil filter. I had a similar filter setup on my 450 Foreman, but accessing the cover/spring setup out in the open was not a problem. Inside the engine compartment of the Pioneer, it's a booger to get to and manipulate. Since the filter is "protected" by skid plates, body panels, and the fuel tank, why couldn't it be a "screw on" type filter? It would definitely make things easier.

 

[webby]

I tried to change the oil filter today and I couldn't get 2 of the 3 Philips screws out from under the passenger seat.

I would suggest starting to back the screws out with a pair of small Channel Locks. I used 420's and once they were loose I used a screwdriver. I can see how they would strip out easily.

 

[zxylene]

I changed my oil for the first time following your guide It was a great help. Thank you very much. I too had three very tight bolts. The oil change was just like my foreman 450ES actually the whole P500 feels like my Foreman which is a great thing, if it can take a beating and work like my Foreman I got my moneys worth. I filled the oil up but am a little over the high mark maybe 1/16 to an 1/8 of an inch should I leave it like that or drain a little out?

 

[JACKAL]

I changed my oil for the first time following your guide It was a great help. Thank you very much. I too had three very tight bolts. The oil change was just like my foreman 450ES actually the whole P500 feels like my Foreman which is a great thing, if it can take a beating and work like my Foreman I got my moneys worth. I filled the oil up but am a little over the high mark maybe 1/16 to an 1/8 of an inch should I leave it like that or drain a little out?

@zxylene Welcome to the club! You should be OK if you are only 1/8" over the high mark, I would not worry about it.

 

[zxylene]

Thank you. I figured it wasn't much over but didn't want to cause any damage.

 

[webby]

Glad to have this Forum. I've had several side by sides but have always taken my machines to the dealer for mods & maintanence. I'm sick of the hassle of getting it there and waiting to see the bill! I've decided to do it on my own with this one and the other owners have been a lot of help. Its the best tool in my tool box!

 

[zxylene]

Webby I agree my dealer is about 35 miles from my house and I would not want to load the sxs and haul there. This site saved me a lot. And cost me some too as I get more ideas for addons. But they all add value.

 

[webby]

Glad it worked out & Happy New Year.

 

[HondaSeth]

For the three tight screws, I gripped the screwdriver with large Channellocks with one hand and pushed down (pretty hard) on the screwdriver with the other hand. They busted loose easily. Also, when I put the filter cover back on, I press on it hard to hold it in place until I get all three bolts hand tightened as far as I can get them. The first time I did it, I tightened only one and the cover popped out some and tore the o-ring.

 

[JACKAL]

For the three tight screws, I gripped the screwdriver with large Channellocks with one hand and pushed down (pretty hard) on the screwdriver with the other hand. They busted loose easily. Also, when I put the filter cover back on, I press on it hard to hold it in place until I get all three bolts hand tightened as far as I can get them. The first time I did it, I tightened only one and the cover popped out some and tore the o-ring.

Welcome to the club @HondaSeth

 

[Montecresto]

Welcome to the club @HondaSeth

So do the large and small o-rings have to be replaced with the oil change, even if they look good?? Thanks

 

[HondaSeth]

So do the large and small o-rings have to be replaced with the oil change, even if they look good?? Thanks

I would say no, but make sure you have each of them on your shelf for when you need them. An oil change o-ring tear is going to happen and it will be at an inconvenient time. If you have one on the shelf...

 

[Montecresto]

I would say no, but make sure you have each of them on your shelf for when you need them. An oil change o-ring tear is going to happen and it will be at an inconvenient time. If you have one on the shelf...

Got it. Thanks

 

[Montecresto]

Ok, did the first oil change. Was glad to have the good step by step and pictorial instructions. I was careful with the stories I've seen here about stripped bolts and plugs and so it went well. But man, that cover, o-rings, spring, little bitty cartridge filter is bs. Honda couldn't have put an external spin on filter?? But, it is what it is, I'm still happy with the machine.

 

[JACKAL]

Ok, did the first oil change. Was glad to have the good step by step and pictorial instructions. I was careful with the stories I've seen here about stripped bolts and plugs and so it went well. But man, that cover, o-rings, spring, little bitty cartridge filter is bs. Honda couldn't have put an external spin on filter?? But, it is what it is, I'm still happy with the machine.

I wonder how big a millionaire a guy would be that made a billet adapter to bolt in place of the cover which used a spin on filter? I bet it would fit a dozen different ATV's SXS by Honda. Hmmm retirement project for Jackal, soon as I did it Honda would fix it themselves put me outta business.

 

[Montecresto]

DId 100 miles oil change today. Went fine, also found very tight 3 screws holding passenger seat. Most likely will drill out 3" opening where the oil drain plug for easy access.

I had no problem with the existing 1-1/2" hole. A three inch hole is more likely to allow Stobbs to get up in their!!