What Size Wiper Blades for an Audi A4?

Most modern Audi A4 models use a 24-inch wiper blade on the driver’s side and a 20-inch blade on the passenger side, but exact sizes can vary slightly by model year and body style, so checking your specific generation is essential.

Why Wiper Blade Size Matters for the Audi A4

The Audi A4 is a popular premium sedan and Avant (wagon) known for precise handling and high-speed stability. Wiper blade size plays a crucial role in maintaining visibility, safety, and preserving the functionality of rain-sensing systems. Using the wrong size can leave dangerous blind spots, cause streaking, or lead to blades colliding at the center of the windshield.

Typical Wiper Sizes by Audi A4 Generation

While the driver/passenger combination of 24″/20″ is common, Audi has adjusted dimensions over different A4 generations and body styles (sedan, Avant, Allroad). The following breakdown covers mainstream sizes typically specified for left-hand-drive European and North American models.

B9 Generation (2017–Present: Sedan, Avant, Allroad)

The current B9-generation A4, including its facelift (often called B9.5), uses streamlined aero-style wipers compatible with rain-sensing systems. Blade lengths are largely consistent across trim levels.

The main sizes for this generation can be summarized as follows:

• Driver’s side: 24 inches (600 mm) in most markets
• Passenger side: 20 inches (500 mm)
• Rear wiper (Avant/Allroad only): 13 inches (330 mm), model dependent

For B9 A4 owners, this 24″/20″ combination is generally correct, but it is still important to verify in the owner’s manual or via a fitment guide, especially for Avant and Allroad variants with rear wipers.

B8 Generation (2009–2016: Sedan, Avant, Allroad)

The B8 generation introduced more advanced aerodynamics and rain sensors, and many aftermarket catalogues list nearly identical sizes to the B9.

Common B8 A4 wiper sizes are generally:

• Driver’s side: 24 inches (600 mm)
• Passenger side: 20 inches (500 mm)
• Rear wiper (Avant/Allroad): 13 inches (330 mm), depending on exact year and rear arm design

These sizes are widely supported by major brands such as Bosch, Valeo, and Michelin; however, rear wiper length can vary slightly between Avant and Allroad trims, so checking a parts lookup by VIN is recommended.

B7 and B6 Generations (2001–2008)

Older A4 models from the early and mid-2000s transitioned from more traditional framed wipers to flatter aero designs, but the functional lengths did not change dramatically.

Typical sizes for many B6/B7 Audi A4 models are:

• Driver’s side: 21–22 inches (530–550 mm), depending on year
• Passenger side: 19–20 inches (480–500 mm)
• Rear wiper (Avant): around 15 inches (380 mm), with some variation

Because B6/B7 sizing is less standardized and can differ by production year and market, relying on an online fitment tool or the exact specification in the owner’s manual is more important for these older vehicles than simply assuming 24″/20″.

Pre-2001 Audi A4 Models

First-generation A4 models (mid-1990s to around 2001, often referred to as B5) used shorter, more conventional wiper blades and different arm types.

Broadly, many B5 A4s used:

• Driver’s side: about 20–21 inches (500–530 mm)
• Passenger side: about 18–19 inches (450–480 mm)
• Rear wiper (Avant): typically around 15 inches (380 mm)

Because Audi’s earliest A4 generations predate standardized aero-blade sizing, owners of these models should treat these figures as indicative and always cross-check with an A4-specific catalog or the vehicle documentation.

How to Confirm the Correct Wiper Size for Your Specific A4

Even with typical sizes known, the most reliable approach is to verify the exact fit for your own car, especially if it’s an Avant, Allroad, S4/RS4 variant, or a non-European import.

Use Official and Reputable References

Several sources can provide precise wiper sizes tailored to your A4’s VIN or model year and body style.

The most dependable ways to confirm size include:

• Owner’s manual: Lists the correct front and rear blade lengths and often the wiper type (flat/aero).
• Online parts catalogues: Audi’s official parts site or major retailers (e.g., Bosch, Valeo, major auto parts chains) allow lookup by vehicle year, model, and sometimes VIN.
• Existing blade markings: Many original or high-quality replacement blades have their size in inches or millimeters printed on the rubber or packaging.
• Audi dealer or specialist workshop: Can confirm OEM-equivalent size and correct attachment type for your arms.

Using multiple references, when possible, reduces the risk of purchasing the wrong length or connector style, particularly for cars with factory rain-sensing systems or performance variants.

Wiper Types and Connectors on the Audi A4

Besides length, compatibility also depends on the wiper blade design and its connection to the arm. Audi A4 models often use specific aero-style blades and connectors that differ from older hook-style fittings.

Flat vs. Conventional Blades

Newer A4 models (particularly B8 and B9) are equipped from the factory with flat (beam) wiper blades designed to match the curve of the windshield and reduce wind lift at higher speeds.

The key differences relevant to Audi A4 owners are:

• Flat/beam blades: Offer even pressure, quieter wiping, and better high-speed performance; standard on newer A4 models.
• Conventional framed blades: Sometimes used on older generations; cheaper but generally noisier and less aerodynamic.
• Hybrid blades: Mix aero performance with a framed look; can be used as aftermarket replacements if sized and fitted correctly.

Choosing the type that matches factory specifications usually yields the best performance, especially in heavy rain or at motorway speeds, where the A4 often operates.

Attachment Systems and Rain Sensors

Modern A4s often use specialized connectors (such as side-pin or top-lock styles) and integrate with rain-sensing systems that automatically adjust wiper speed. This means not every blade of the right length will fit or perform correctly.

Important considerations include:

• Connector style: Verify whether your A4 uses hook, side-pin, or proprietary connectors; check the arm end before buying.
• Rain sensor compatibility: Use quality blades recommended for rain-sensing systems to avoid chatter and erratic wiping behavior.
• Driver/passenger asymmetry: A4 blades are often different lengths and occasionally different curves; do not assume a matching pair.

Proper attachment and compatible design ensure the blades sit flush against the windshield, which is essential for clear vision and the smooth operation of Audi’s automatic wiping features.

Practical Tips for Replacing Audi A4 Wiper Blades

Once you know the correct size and type, a few simple precautions help avoid damage to the windshield or wiper arms during replacement.

Step-by-Step Replacement Advice

Following a basic sequence reduces the risk of scratching the glass or misfitting the new blades.

Key practical steps include:

• Protect the windshield: When you lift the wiper arm, never let it snap back onto the glass; rest it gently or use a towel as protection.
• Follow the arm’s “service position” procedure: Many A4s have a specific method (via the wiper stalk or MMI) to park arms higher for easier access.
• Check fit before use: After clipping the new blades into place, gently tug them to confirm they are locked in.
• Test on washer fluid: Run the wipers with washer spray for a few cycles to check sweep area, noise, and any missed patches.

Adhering to these basic steps helps ensure the new blades perform effectively from the first use and reduces the chance of accidental glass damage during installation.

Summary

For most modern Audi A4 sedans, the standard wiper blade sizes are 24 inches on the driver’s side and 20 inches on the passenger side, with Avant and Allroad models also using a rear blade of roughly 13 inches. Older A4 generations often use slightly shorter blades, with more variation in length and design. Because Audi has revised wiper sizes and connectors over time, the safest approach is to confirm your exact model year and body style using the owner’s manual or a reliable fitment guide. Matching both the correct length and the proper attachment type ensures optimal visibility, quiet operation, and full compatibility with the A4’s rain-sensing and aerodynamic design.