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Quick answer
It is one of the most searched questions in auto parts aisles: "Does A mean driver side and B mean passenger side?" No. In Bosch's 2025 Windshield Wiper Blades Catalog, the letters A, B, and OE after the inch number describe two things: the beam curve and wind-spoiler shape (A vs B, both for J-hook arms) and the connector pack inside the box (OE for push-button, pinch-tab, and side-lock arms). Many cars use an A on both sides, a B on both sides, or an OE on both sides.
Check the exact Bosch suffix for your car: look up your year, make, and model in Bosch's part finder.
Bosch ICON on boschautoparts.com Bosch Clear AdvantageBosch ICON A vs B vs OE side by side
| Part suffix | Example | Arm connectors in the box | Beam & spoiler design (Bosch 2025 Catalog) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 26A, 22A, 18A | J-Hook (9×3 & 9×4 mm) and standard bayonet only. Does not include push-button or pinch-tab clips. | Asymmetric beam spoiler: stronger curve and tall directional wind spoiler engineered to hold the blade down against highway airflow (and conform to steeper passenger-side windshield curvature where specified). |
| B | 26B, 22B, 18B | J-Hook (9×3 & 9×4 mm) and standard bayonet only. Does not include push-button or pinch-tab clips. | Flatter / symmetrical spoiler profile: matched to windshields with a flatter arc or opposed-sweep ("butterfly") wiper arms where an A-curve would lift at the outer tip. |
| OE | 26OE, 22OE, 18OE | ClearMax 365 Multi-Clip pack (#1–#6): fits Top Lock / Push Button (19 mm & 22 mm), Pinch Tab, Side Lock, and Vaqueta arms. | OE specialty beam: built for European and late-model vehicles that do not use a J-hook arm. An OE blade does not fit a standard 9×3 J-hook arm unless noted. |
Why the "A = driver, B = passenger" rumor keeps tripping people up
On many sedans and trucks with a flat driver's side and a sharply curved passenger corner, Bosch's catalog happens to specify an A on the driver side and a B on the passenger side (or vice versa) so the outer tip of the passenger blade doesn't hang in the air. Drivers saw `26A` and `18B` paired together on fitment charts and assumed A meant Left/Driver and B meant Right/Passenger.
In reality, Bosch's application tables list plenty of vehicles that take A on both sides (for example, `26A` driver and `18A` passenger) or B on both sides. If you swap an A for a B on a J-hook arm, the hook will physically click in, but the beam tension may not match your glass curvature — leaving an un-wiped triangle at the right edge of the windshield or chattering at highway speed.
When you must buy "OE" (or Bosch Aerotwin / Envisage)
- Your car has push-button, pinch-tab, or side-pin arms: if you buy a `24A` or `24B` for a Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, or newer Ford with a Top Lock push-button arm, the blade in the box only has a J-hook bracket. You need `24OE`.
- What if you have J-hook arms and accidentally bought `OE`? Bosch's `OE` multi-clip system is built for Top Lock, Pinch Tab, and Side Lock arms — it does not include the standard 9×3 J-hook clip. Return it for the `A` or `B` part number Bosch lists for your car.
- What about Bosch Clear Advantage (`CA`)? Bosch Clear Advantage uses a different numbering system (such as `26CA` or `18CA`) that bundles a multi-adapter for J-hook and several common OE arms in one box, though it uses a graphite-coated natural rubber squeegee rather than ICON's dual-rubber FX synthetic blend.
How we work: all suffix definitions and adapter mappings on this page come directly from Bosch Auto Parts' 2025 Windshield Wiper Blades Catalog and Bosch Fleet Solutions documentation, linked below.
Questions people ask
Does Bosch ICON A mean driver side and B mean passenger side?
No. In Bosch's catalog, A and B refer to the beam's curvature and spoiler profile (A has a taller asymmetric wind spoiler and stronger curve; B has a flatter symmetrical profile). Depending on the windshield shape, a car may take A on both sides, B on both sides, or one of each.
What does OE mean on Bosch ICON wiper blades?
OE stands for Original Equipment specialty connectors. Bosch ICON OE blades (such as 24OE or 19OE) include the ClearMax 365 multi-clip adapter pack (#1 to #6) for push-button, pinch-tab, and side-lock arms. They are not made for standard J-hook arms.
Can I use a Bosch ICON A or B blade on a push-button wiper arm?
No. Bosch ICON A and B part numbers only include the hook/bayonet adapter in the box. If your vehicle has a push-button, pinch-tab, or side-pin wiper arm, you need the Bosch ICON OE part number (or Bosch Aerotwin).
Sources
Last checked Oct 23, 2026. Wiper part numbers and arm adapters change by trim and build year; confirm with the maker's part finder or your owner's manual before buying.
