Quick answer: Wiper Blade Replacement on a 2008–2011 Audi A5 is rated Easy and takes about 10–15 minutes. You'll need 2 tools for this job, and parts cost about $66. This guide walks you through the full job step by step, including the mistakes to avoid.
| Part Name |
Part Number |
Price |
Buy |
| Driver wiper blade, 24" |
Bosch 24A |
$32.99 |
|
| Passenger wiper blade, 20" |
Bosch 20B |
$32.99 |
|
About prices: shown prices are typical retail averages and change frequently; cheaper alternatives may be available. Confirm the current price before buying.
💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps carefully
1
Confirm your sizes and buy the right blades
This guide covers the 2008–2011 Audi A5 — the first-generation B8/8T coupe. It takes a 24-inch blade on the driver side and a 20-inch blade on the passenger side. That 20-inch passenger blade is the detail that matters: when Audi facelifted the A5 for 2012, the passenger side grew to 21 inches, so if you shop by 'A5' alone you'll often be handed the wrong one. Confirm your car is a 2008–2011 and buy 24/20. These cars use Audi's push-button (top-lock) arm connector, not a J-hook — look for blades listed for the A5/B8 fitment, or a multi-adapter blade that includes the 16mm push-button adapter. The A5 coupe has no rear wiper at all, so you're buying two blades, period.
2
Put the wipers in the service position
You can't just lift the A5's arms — they park tucked under the trailing edge of the hood, and forcing them up will scrape paint or bend the arms. Use Audi's service position: switch the ignition on, then back off, then briefly press the wiper stalk down. The arms will sweep up and stop near vertical on the windshield, clear of the hood. Now you can lift each arm off the glass freely. When you're done with the whole job, you'll return the arms by switching the ignition on and pressing the stalk down once more — don't skip that, or the first auto-wipe will drag the raised arms across the hood edge.
3
Remove the old driver-side blade
With the arm in the service position, lift it away from the glass. Press the button in with your thumb while sliding the blade downward, off the arm. The blade should walk off with light pressure.
4
Prep the new blade
Remove the plastic guard from the rubber edge. Now look at the connector: if you bought A5-specific blades, the push-button adapter should already be fitted; if you bought multi-adapter blades, install the push-button/top-lock adapter per the leaflet now.
5
Install the new driver blade and verify the lock
Slide the new blade's connector up onto the arm tip until the push-button snaps out through its window with a click. Pull down firmly on the blade — it should be locked solid with no play.
🔧 Mechanic's note — Tom Becker
I've seen this exact mistake come through the shop: Slide the new blade's connector up onto the arm tip until the push-button snaps out through its window with a click.
6
Do the passenger side — and note there's no rear blade
Lift the passenger arm (still in the service position) and repeat the press-button-and-slide swap with the 20-inch blade — not a 21, which belongs to the 2012-and-up facelift cars and will overhang your cowl.
7
Return the arms and test with washer fluid
First, get the arms out of the service position: ignition on, press the stalk down once, and watch both arms settle back under the hood edge. Then spray washer fluid and run the wipers on intermittent, low, and high.
All Done!
Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- • Buying the 21-inch passenger blade meant for the 2012+ facelift — the 2008–2011 car takes a 20.
- • Trying to lift the arms without the service position — they'll hit the hood edge.
- • Forgetting to take the wipers out of service position when finished.
- • Shopping J-hook blades — the B8 A5 uses a push-button connector, and a J-hook blade won't mount.
