Very confused about Bosch wiper blades

joeyjojo · 21 Jan 2015 at 10:55

I went to Halfords the other day to replace a passenger side wiper blade on my partner's 59 Smart Fortwo which had developed a split in the rubber.

Got off to a bad start when the laminated book spec'd Bosch Aerotwin AM21U both for both passenger and driver side, but they didn't have any AM21U in stock. The closest match was AP21U, which an employee said is basically the new model and the one to get. Fine I thought, the back of the box has a tick in Smart Fortwo passenger side (not driver side). I bought it and fitted it and it seems fine.

Pic: http://tinypic.com/r/e9xn2u/8

It occurred to me though that the box is covered in European languages, mainly German, and most of these places are LHD. Doesn't this mean then that if the wiper is for the passenger side in Germany that's the RHS of the car, i.e. the driver's side here? :confused:

Anyway a check on the Halfords website says AM21U on driver side and AM23U on passenger side. Must be out of date information...

wiperblades4u.co.uk says AP21U on passenger side (good!), nothing about driver side.
Same at autobulbsdirect.co.uk
eurocarparts.com says AM21U on passenger side, nothing about driver side.
boschwipers.co.uk says AM21U on both sides!

So have I got it right? If I had to replace the driver's side what would I do?

Amos91 · 21 Jan 2015 at 11:03

Fairly certain that only relates to the length of the wiper blade (21" vs 23").

If you fitted a smaller wiper blade all its going to do is sweep a smaller area. The only issue is likely to be if you went bigger than 23" as the two wipers could hit each other & wipe past the windshield.

Essentially I'd stick with the 21's on both sides and wouldn't worry as long as they sweep fine!

neil_g · 21 Jan 2015 at 11:33

incidentally dont buy them from halfords, you can get them online in pairs/sets for what halfords sell singles for.

joeyjojo · 21 Jan 2015 at 11:42

Amos91 said:
Fairly certain that only relates to the length of the wiper blade (21" vs 23").

If you fitted a smaller wiper blade all its going to do is sweep a smaller area. The only issue is likely to be if you went bigger than 23" as the two wipers could hit each other & wipe past the windshield.

Essentially I'd stick with the 21's on both sides and wouldn't worry as long as they sweep fine!

Cheers, I just measured the one I took off (passenger side)... 23".

Seems you can go up to 24" both sides with no banging.. http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f4/wiper-blade-length-45613/

I'll leave it then!

neil_g said:
incidentally dont buy them from halfords, you can get them online in pairs/sets for what halfords sell singles for.

What sites are recommended?

snapdragon69 · 21 Jan 2015 at 12:40

The current BOSCH GB catalogue stipulates am21u for many cars, but no mention of ap21u at all.
The AM part seems to mean Multiclip, there is no AP designation listed, maybe try the german catalogue?.

http://rb-aa.bosch.com/boaa-uk/kidownload?publication=1&cl_id=20&pos=1&attrv_id=457&type=download, http://rb-aa.bosch.com/boaa-uk/Category.jsp?ccat_id=24&language=en-GB&publication=1

joeyjojo · 22 Jan 2015 at 07:53

Thanks snapdragon69,

I tried the German catalogue but it's also 2012/13. I then tried http://www.bosch-automotive-catalog.com which says passenger side can be AP21U or AM21U, drivers side AP23U or AM23U. I'll settle for that!

The M means Multiclip as you say, the P apparently means Plus. I don't know what the difference is though. They came out a few months ago according to the following.

New Bosch Aerotwin Plus: innovative technology clearly the way forward

snapdragon69 · 22 Jan 2015 at 09:48

Sounds good, I think you're right, they changed the boxes from black and yellow to red white and blue too:
Power Plus - a unique wiper rubber with a patented coating.
Designed to offer the smoothest, quietest and most efficient wiper performance.....