Omoda C5 Maintenance and Service Accessibility: A Practical Guide

The Omoda C5 remains a mystery to some, yet it is clear that this newcomer blends style with a comparatively affordable price. The car shares a platform with the Chery Tiggo 4, and its powertrain appears straightforward: a 1.5-liter turbo engine delivering around 147 horsepower paired with a CVT transmission. In theory, spare parts supply should be reliable due to commonality with Chery models.

But how easy is it to service an Omoda C5?

Change engine oil: 3.5 points

Access to the drain plug and oil filter begins by removing the plastic cover over the oil pan. This is done by pulling out two pins with a Phillips screwdriver and unthreading seven 10mm bolts. With the cover removed, the component is light and the drain plug can be unscrewed with a 13mm wrench.

Reaching the oil filter remains challenging. It sits on the rear wall of the engine block, and the subframe partially blocks access. The difficulty isn’t only about using one hand with a tool; a portion of the old oil inevitably drips onto the subframe or onto the technician.

How much does a filter cost?

The original filter is shared with other Chery models and is readily available. It costs about 700 rubles. Alternatives include Chinese-made units (sometimes around 250 rubles) and filters from established brands such as Mahle, which can be four times the price of the OEM part.

Which oil?

No special oil approval is required. A 5W-40 class A3/B4 motor oil works well. A bottle from the Chery Oil brand canister costs about 1800 rubles per liter.

The range of suitable oils is broad. For example, Lukoil offers oil around 1400 rubles per liter. There are also premium brands like Mobil or Castrol, with jars priced much higher depending on quantity and retailer.

Replace air filter: 4.0 points

The air cleaner cover is held by latches and three screws driven by a Phillips screwdriver. For added security, a magnet is handy to prevent losing screws, especially the ones on the back of the cover. It can help to loosen the inlet pipe for easier access.

When the filter is removed, there is a familiar feeling, reminiscent of other Geely-derived models. The air filter element is plain and unmarked, a generic 264×190 mm item without a part code.

What’s the price?

In the original Chery packaging, the filter costs about a thousand rubles. Aftermarket options range from 500 to 3000 rubles. As with the oil filter, there are also Chinese alternatives, and care should be taken with the tightening torque of the screws since some housings use metal mounts instead of traditional threads.

Replace cabin filter: 4.5 points

The cabin filter sits behind the glove box, a common location. To reach it, first remove the glove box cover. The box slides on two rails and can be detached with a wide flat screwdriver or a coin. After removing the clamps, the filter cover opens, revealing the filter. Press the two latches and pull out the filter carefully.

What’s the price?

A basic paper cabin filter in original packaging costs about 500 rubles. Chinese-made non-originals are half that price, while carbon-coated variants range from 2000 to 2500 rubles.

Replace spark plugs: 4.5 points

Access to the ignition coils and spark plugs is blocked by a decorative hood resting on four rails. The coils connect with a standard locking pin that is removed with a small screwdriver. Each coil is held by two 8mm bolts.

Lubricate the rubber seals on the coils with silicone grease before reassembly to prevent sticking, and loosen the guides for the decorative cover to ease installation.

To remove the plugs, a standard 16mm spark plug wrench is required.

What’s the price?

A set of original Chinese spark plugs costs around 1500 rubles. Alternatives from various brands range up to about 9000 rubles per set.

It’s notable that the spark plug wells stay relatively clean compared to some other vehicles.

Replace brake pads: 4.5 points

The wheels use 17 bolts, and the brake caliper design is common across many modern cars. Replacing the pads requires a 22mm wrench and a 13mm wrench to hold the caliper while removing the guide and locknut. The pads are held in place by spring clips.

What’s the price?

Original brake pads cost around 7000 rubles. Non-original replacements can be more expensive if the original brand is high quality. Market options include AliExpress-like products around a thousand rubles, though quality can vary significantly.

Relay and fuse box: 3.5 points

The relay and fuse box under the hood is straightforward. It sits on the left side and is covered by a lid held by latches. Inside the cabin, the diagnostic connector is located to the left of the steering column, but the block itself is tucked behind a plastic panel and may require care not to damage the panel during removal.

Unlike some other models, the cabin plastic panel relies on clips rather than reusable guides, so care is needed to avoid breakage. This inconvenience lowers the overall score slightly.

What is the result?

Omoda C5 has two notable drawbacks in terms of serviceability: the oil filter location is not ideal, and the cabin relay and fuse box are somewhat poorly accessible. Otherwise, routine maintenance and repairs are not anticipated to be problematic, and parts supply should be readily available. The close kinship with Chery and common consumables such as air and cabin filters help keep maintenance practical. Overall, the Omoda C5 earns a solid four out of five for ease of service.

Prices for consumable spare parts and materials*

	original accessories, ₽	min. price of non-original parts, ₽	max. price of non-original parts, ₽
Engine oil 5W-40	7400	1900	10200
Oil filter	670	250	3600
Air filter	920	500	2800
cabin filter	500	200	2700
Spark plug (kit)	1500	1000	8400
Front brake pads	7200	950	8600

*Prices are valid from February 2023.

The complexity of maintenance and repair

	Figure	Required tool	Remark
Change Motor oil	3.5	10 and 13 mm sockets, Phillips screwdriver, filter puller	inspection pit or lift required
Replace air filter	4.0	Phillips screwdriver, magnet	for convenience it is worth unscrewing the inlet pipe
Replace spark plugs	4.5	candle wrench 16 mm, socket wrench 8 mm	—
Replace brake pad	4.5	caps for 13, 17 and 22 mm	jack or lift required
Replacing relays and fuses	3.5	—	in the cabin be careful with the plastic panel
Replace cabin filter	4.5	flat screwdriver	—

• A detailed overview of automotive sealants can be found here.
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