New owner-2015 MSU-500

[CDT540]

I am a first time owner of a ATV/SxS.  I have owned many many motorcycles (on and off road), boats, PWCs, etc. but never a SxS. Just purchased a 2015 MSU-500 this weekend form the original owner.  It has 850 miles (150 hrs), been used each year on the deer lease.   Seems to be in very good shape and well taken care of but we will see.  I had a few questions I was hoping someone could help with.  I want to change all the fluids so recommendations would be helpful for:

1.   Engine Oil, any brand or type preference? (reg or syn)

2.  Trans/final drive

3.  Differential

Besides the air filter any other general maintenance I should do before I haul to the cabin?

Also, the original winch is not working.  Any reason to attempt to repair or just replace?  The 500 will be light duty, mostly just hauling brush running around the property so no need to invest in a Warn so I was just thinking something from Harbor Freight.  Is it possible to replace the winch and still use the original controller or does that become obsolete and you just use what comes with the replacement?

Thanks for input and if there is anything else I should do or know please feel free to chime in.  Also, I am well aware of what I have.  It is not a Honda or Polaris, it is a Chinese clone and cost a fraction of what a quality brand would have cost.  But for what I need and as little as it will be used this fits the bill, I hope. 

Thanks again

Chris

[T-boss 410]

For engine oil, you should use oil that's for wet clutch systems. I don't know the weight, but there's manuals available here on this site that may be specific to your SXS. That should give you the weights and types of fluids.

Is the engine a Hisun or a Linhai?

As for the winch, if you have a remote control for the winch, I can't answer your question. But I wouldn't shy away from a winch from Harbor Freight. They have really come up with tools and equipment. Not like the stuff they had years ago. If you have the control in the dash like I have, you should be able to connect it with not much of a problem.

There's a section in the list of forums that has the service and/or operators manuals. Don't know if your specific model is listed. There's a member who downloads manuals for the membership. Saves us lots of money!

[TapBoss]

I use Lucas products , 80-90 HD Gear Oil for the diff and 10w40 Semi-Synthetic.  For the winch, some brands will cross over but not sure which.  Check your cooling system, seems to be the biggest problem with that model/year range (fan and coolant level).  Other than that, check wiring connections and water proof as much as you can,  corrosion causes a lot of issues as well.  

[Steve Herndon]

On 4/5/2022 at 4:24 PM, CDT540 said:

I am a first time owner of a ATV/SxS.  I have owned many many motorcycles (on and off road), boats, PWCs, etc. but never a SxS. Just purchased a 2015 MSU-500 this weekend form the original owner.  It has 850 miles (150 hrs), been used each year on the deer lease.   Seems to be in very good shape and well taken care of but we will see.  I had a few questions I was hoping someone could help with.  I want to change all the fluids so recommendations would be helpful for:

1.   Engine Oil, any brand or type preference? (reg or syn)

2.  Trans/final drive

3.  Differential

Besides the air filter any other general maintenance I should do before I haul to the cabin?

Also, the original winch is not working.  Any reason to attempt to repair or just replace?  The 500 will be light duty, mostly just hauling brush running around the property so no need to invest in a Warn so I was just thinking something from Harbor Freight.  Is it possible to replace the winch and still use the original controller or does that become obsolete and you just use what comes with the replacement?

Thanks for input and if there is anything else I should do or know please feel free to chime in.  Also, I am well aware of what I have.  It is not a Honda or Polaris, it is a Chinese clone and cost a fraction of what a quality brand would have cost.  But for what I need and as little as it will be used this fits the bill, I hope. 

Thanks again

Chris

I have a 2015 Alligator 700 with a Hisun engine, yours should be as well. As for engine oil I use 10w40 atv oil formulated for wet clutches. As for the colling system I had to learn the hard way. If at anytime you have to add coolant follow these steps.

1. With the engine cold, fill the canister to the full mark, remove radiator cap and top off with coolant.

2. Raise the fron of the sxs at least 10-12 inches, I park mine up hill to do this.

3. Loosen the bleeder at the thermostat housing on top of the motor (drivers side) to release air and retighten.  Check radiator and add if needed.

4. Loosen bleeder on bottom of water pump (passenger side of moter) to bleed air and retighten. Refill radiator and reinstall cap.

I repeat tease steps a couple times just to be safe. It is important to do this with a cold engine. If the engine is running and warmed up the coolant will expand and create an air pocket after it's sealed up and cooled down.

Hope this helps and good luck with your new toy.