I plan on changing all the fluids and I dont have my manual yet, I was wondering can I use Mobile One or should I go to the dealer and get Polaris Syn.? I was also wondering If it would be worth changing to a green spring and K&N filter? It made a nice improvemet on my 400 Explorer and I know it wont be that dramatic because its a 4-stroke. Has anyone had any found a way to get rid of scratches on the plastic pannels? I know it only takes about 2 rides and there will be new ones but It would be nice to be able to shine it up once and awhile.

 

Armor all hides scratches nicely or 3M makes stuff called Finesse It, it's a micro-fine buffing material that works well but you have to use a buffer to achieve good results. I don't know about the springs as I have not up graded to bigger tires. The filter helps I hear, I still hven't dirtied my stosck filter enough to warrant replacement. If you go with one brand of oil you should stick with it for the life of the vehicle. Match the viscosity rating and be sure it is 100% synthetic and you shouldn't have a problem. There are 4 different types of fluids to buy if you plan on doing all the fluid changes. and get the service manual it is alot of help.

 

There is a product out there called "Plastic renew". I used it and it turns out pretty good, buttakes a LOT of work, sanding and buffing. Next time I'll just spend $150 on a new set of fenders.
The K&N didn't seem to do anything for my 500. The FMF silencer did. I also have the green spring and like it a lot.
I use 10w-40 synthetic motorcycle oil in my quads. Both of my local dealers said it's all the same, the Polaris stuff is just brand specific for them to make money on. Since you are out of warrenty I would just go with whatever you like best.

 

barely,

What kinda differance did the fmf make?

 

I have seen way too many oil discusions here with
lots of great advice. I still prefer to use the Polaris
branded stuff and sleep easy. I like Pledge furniture polish
to get scratches out of the plastic- it takes more elbow
grease- but will not do more harm.

 

I have the K+N filter installed- I like it very
much because it is so easy to clean- I think it
helped the top end- but that might be because when
you spend the dollars you expect the results-
and it is all in your mind.

 

The FMF helped more than I would have thought, and I'm not sure why more people don't use it. I paid !170 from Rocky Mountain ATV. It is about a 15 minute install, is adjustable, comes with a spark arrestor and sounds great. I am making a lot more power with it throughout the powerband. It really woke the 500 up.