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How to Find Interchangeable Car Parts Using a Cross Reference Guide

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A cross-reference guide is a handy tool to use when you need to find parts for your vehicle, because different brands may give their parts different numbers. So, one brand's part number won't always be the same as another brand's is.

These guides are also sometimes provided by automotive recycling yards, which have historically been called junkyards, so customers can determine if parts from similar models fit on a specific vehicle.

Where to Find a Cross-Reference Guide

Places where cross-reference guides are found include big-box stores that sell car parts, car parts stores and dealerships. Big-box stores may carry several brands, so you may find a filters cross-reference guide or a spark plug cross reference chart to help you find the right part — no matter which brand you prefer. This lets you compare the same part at different price points and sometimes at different quality levels. Parts stores and dealerships provide cross reference information for home mechanics as well as professionals.

Cross-Reference Information Online From Recycling Yards

Recycling yards may provide digital cross reference guides to help customers determine which car parts are interchangeable from model to model. To use an online tool to find parts from other brands and models, enter the year, make, model and any other information requested about your vehicle and the part you need. The tool will then provide information about what other vehicles use a compatible part you can use to replace with your old one, such as cross-reference bearing numbers and CR seals cross-reference information.

Cross-Reference Information From Dealerships

Some parts are only available through dealerships, and manufacturers may prefer some branded parts, such as spark plugs and oil filters, over other brands. When this is the case and the parts you need aren't available, ask the dealership parts manager to check the spark plugs cross-reference guide or cross-reference batteries chart to determine if a suitable replacement exists. This can be necessary for almost any part in your car's systems, so if you run across a hard-to-find part, your local dealership may be one of your best information sources.

Finding Cross-Reference Guides in Car Parts Stores

In car parts stores, you're most likely to find cross-reference charts near the oil filters and windshield wipers. These guides let you look up your vehicle, tell you which part numbers to look for based on your chosen brand and any other pertinent details about the products. Modern car parts stores also typically have databases that employees use to look up available parts. These databases show employees which parts are interchangeable, the prices and any special features customers need to know, such as warranty information and core charge amounts.

Finding Cross Reference Information in Big-Box Retail Stores

Big-box retail stores, like auto parts stores, are likely to have paper or electronic cross-reference guides near displays of oil filters, spark plugs, air filters and windshield wipers. To use these interactive guides, you look up the make, model and year of your vehicle and the part you need. You can then take the information to the displays to compare prices and features between brands such as Fram, Wix and Purolater for filters and NGK or AC Delco for spark plugs.

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