How to Get Audi Wipers into Service Position

To get Audi wipers up and off the windshield, you normally need to put them into “service position” via the wiper stalk or infotainment menu, rather than just switching them off, because many modern Audi models hide the blades under the hood when parked. This protects the wipers but makes it tricky to lift them for cleaning, replacing blades, or in snowy conditions.

Why Audi Wipers Don’t Lift Like Older Cars

Modern Audi models (A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q2, Q3, Q5, Q7, Q8, e-tron, etc.) often park the wiper arms low under the hood line to improve aerodynamics and appearance. As a result, you usually cannot simply pull the wipers up from their rest position because the hood overhang blocks them.

To safely lift them, Audi uses a built-in “service position” mode that temporarily moves the blades up the glass and leaves them standing higher so you can raise the arms off the windshield without hitting the hood or damaging the wiper mechanism.

Standard Method: Using the Wiper Stalk (Most Recent Audi Models)

On many Audis from roughly the mid‑2010s onward (including most A3, A4, A5, A6, Q3, Q5, Q7, and similar models), you can activate service position directly from the wiper stalk while the ignition is off. The steps are simple but must be done in the correct sequence.

1. Turn the ignition on, then off: Sit in the car, switch the ignition on (do not start the engine), then switch it off again.
2. Within a few seconds, move the wiper stalk: Push the wiper stalk down once into the “single wipe” or “one‑time wipe” position while the ignition is now off.
3. Let the wipers move up: The wipers will move up the windshield and stop in a vertical or near‑vertical position, clear of the hood edge.
4. Lift the wiper arms: Step out of the car and gently pull the wiper arms away from the glass to clean the windshield or replace the blades.

Once you follow these steps in the right order, the wipers park high on the glass so you can safely raise them, making maintenance straightforward and reducing the risk of chipping the paint on the hood.

Exiting Service Position and Lowering the Wipers

After cleaning or replacing wiper blades, you need to return them from service position to their normal parked position. This is also done using the ignition and wiper stalk.

1. Gently lower the wiper arms: Push the wiper arms back down onto the windshield so they rest against the glass.
2. Turn the ignition on: Sit in the driver’s seat and switch the ignition on as if you’re about to start the car.
3. Activate the wipers briefly: Move the wiper stalk to any normal wiping position (e.g., intermittent or low speed) and then back to off.
4. Allow them to park: The wipers should travel down to their usual hidden parking position beneath the hood line.

By reversing the procedure and using the ignition with a quick wiper command, the system re-parks the blades automatically, ensuring they are correctly seated and ready for normal driving conditions.

Alternative: Using the MMI / Vehicle Settings Menu (Select Models)

Some newer Audi models with advanced infotainment systems (such as recent A6, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, e-tron, and certain S/RS variants) include a dedicated service position option in the vehicle settings menu. This can be more intuitive if you’re already navigating through the touchscreen.

1. Switch on the ignition: Turn the ignition on without starting the engine (or press the start/stop button without your foot on the brake, depending on model).
2. Open the vehicle settings: On the MMI screen, go to “Car” or “Vehicle” from the main menu.
3. Find wiper/maintenance settings: Navigate to a submenu often labeled “Servicing & checks,” “Exterior,” or “Wipers.”
4. Select “Wiper service position”: Tap the option to activate service position. The wipers will move up the glass and stop higher than usual.
5. Switch ignition off and lift arms: Once the wipers are up, turn the ignition off and lift the wiper arms for maintenance.

On models equipped with this menu option, using the touchscreen can remove the need for timing the wiper stalk movement, making the process less error-prone for drivers unfamiliar with the stalk method.

Older Audi Models: When You Can Just Lift the Wipers

Not all Audis need a special mode. Some older models and certain basic trims park the blades visibly on the glass and leave enough clearance from the hood to let you raise them directly.

1. Check the parked position: If the wipers rest fully on the windshield and are not tucked under the hood, they may be liftable without service mode.
2. Gently try lifting the arm: From outside the car, carefully try to pull one wiper arm up. Do not force it if there is resistance.
3. Stop if it hits the hood or feels blocked: If the arm touches the hood or feels mechanically locked, stop and use the service position procedure instead.
4. Consult the owner’s manual: For borderline cases, check your model-specific manual to confirm whether a service position function exists.

With older or simpler systems, the process is more like traditional cars, but any sign of obstruction or a mechanical stop means you should revert to Audi’s recommended service-mode method to prevent damage.

Common Problems and Safe-Handling Tips

Because the wiper linkages and arms are relatively delicate compared with body panels and glass, it’s easy to create expensive problems by forcing them. A few practical precautions can avoid that.

• Never force the arms upward from the hidden position: If they’re tucked under the hood, forcing them up can bend the arms or damage the motor and linkage.
• Be careful in freezing conditions: If the wipers are frozen to the glass, thaw the area with the defroster or warm water (not boiling) before trying to lift them.
• Support the arm when changing blades: Don’t let the bare metal arm snap back onto the windshield; it can crack the glass.
• Use correct replacement blades: Many modern Audi wipers use specific aero blades or sizes; mismatched blades can chatter or not clear properly.
• De-activate rain-sensing wipers when cleaning: If your Audi has automatic wipers, ensure the system is off so the wipers don’t move unexpectedly while you’re handling them.

Following these basic precautions helps avoid cracked windshields, bent arms, and motor damage, keeping routine maintenance from turning into a costly repair visit.

Model-Specific Variations and Where to Check

While the general principles are consistent, the exact steps can vary slightly between model years and trim levels, especially as Audi’s infotainment systems and stalk controls evolve.

• Owner’s manual: The most reliable source; look for sections labeled “Wiper service position,” “Wiper blades,” or “Maintenance.”
• On-screen help: Newer MMI systems often provide short text descriptions next to the “Wiper service position” toggle.
• Dealer or service advisor: If you are unsure or the wipers don’t respond as expected, a quick call to a dealer can confirm the correct sequence for your VIN.
• Online Audi forums: Communities for specific models (e.g., A4 B9, Q5 FY) often post photos and step-by-step guides tailored to that generation.

Because Audi regularly updates software and hardware between generations, a brief model-specific check can prevent confusion and ensure you’re using the method that matches your car exactly.

Summary

To get Audi wipers up, most modern models require you to use a dedicated “service position,” either by briefly turning the ignition on and off and then actuating the wiper stalk, or by selecting the service mode via the infotainment system. This moves the blades higher on the windshield so you can lift the arms safely for cleaning or replacement. Older models may allow you to lift the wipers directly, but if the arms are tucked under the hood or feel blocked, always rely on the service-position method and never force them. Checking your specific model’s manual or on-screen settings ensures you use the right procedure and avoid costly damage to the wiper system or windshield.