Quick answer: Wiper Blade Replacement on a 2009–2017 Audi Q5 is rated Easy and takes about 20–25 minutes. Parts cost about $81. 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 |
|
| Rear wiper blade, 13" |
— |
$14.99 |
|
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 sizes and buy the right blades
The first-generation Audi Q5 (2009–2017, 8R chassis) takes 24 inches on the driver side, 20 inches on the passenger side, and a 13-inch rear blade — confirmed across several fitment sources including wipertech.com.au and product listings specifically covering 2009–2017 Q5s. Do NOT buy J-hook blades for this car: Audi fitted slim push-button/top-lock arms to the Q5, and replacement blades must be the Audi/VW-specific clip type (Bosch Aerotwin A297S is the OEM-pattern set for this era). Many aftermarket sets ship with a 'slim top' adapter in the box — verify it's included before you buy. The 13-inch rear is a separate, shorter blade with its own connector; buy it alongside the fronts.
2
Put the wipers in service position
This step is required on the Q5 — and it's the one people skip and then scratch their hood. On the 8R Q5 the wiper arms park below the trailing edge of the hood, so you cannot lift them in their parked position. The procedure: switch the ignition ON (without starting the engine), then switch it OFF again, then push the wiper stalk down to the single-wipe position and hold it — the arms will rise to the vertical service position on the windshield. Now they lift freely. Do not pry the arms upward while they're parked under the hood lip; you'll scrape the paint.
🔧 Mechanic's note — Ray Delgado
I make it a point to do yourself a favor here: Do not pry the arms upward while they're parked under the hood lip; you'll scrape the paint.
3
Release the old driver-side blade
With the arm in service position, lift the driver-side arm off the glass. Press the button with your thumb while sliding the blade toward the base of the arm — the Audi connector releases sideways, not by flipping like a J-hook.
4
Prep the new driver-side blade
Unpack the 24-inch blade and remove the green plastic shipping strip from the rubber edge — aftermarket Audi-fit blades often ship with a brightly colored guard that is easy to spot. Confirm the blade has the slim push-button/top-lock adapter fitted, not a J-hook piece. Hold the new blade up against the old one and confirm the 24-inch length and the same connector shape. If your blades came with the Audi/VW clip in a separate bag, click it firmly into the blade's center before offering it to the arm.
🔧 Mechanic's note — Tom Becker
Trust me on this one: Unpack the 24-inch blade and remove the green plastic shipping strip from the rubber edge — aftermarket Audi-fit blades often ship with a brightly colored guard that is easy to spot.
5
Install the new driver-side blade and check the lock
Slide the new 24-inch blade's connector onto the arm's slim housing until the push-button clicks outward into its locked detent — you should both feel and hear the click.
6
Passenger side and rear blade
Rear Q5 blades often include a plastic aero cover as part of the design; don't mistake it for packaging.
🔧 Mechanic's note — Ray Delgado
I've done this job enough times to say it plain: Rear Q5 blades often include a plastic aero cover as part of the design; don't mistake it for packaging.
7
Test, then take the wipers out of service position
When the test passes, the arms return to their parked position on their own when you switch the wipers off or cycle the ignition — do not force them down by hand.
All Done!
Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- • Lifting the arms in their parked position under the hood lip — this scratches the hood's trailing edge on the 8R Q5. Use the stalk procedure first.
- • Buying universal J-hook blades; the Q5's slim push-button arms need the Audi/VW-specific clip, which many kits include as a separate adapter.
- • Leaving the blades in service position and driving off — always let them park below the hood lip before driving.
- • Removing the rear blade's plastic aero cover thinking it's shipping packaging.
