What a cross reference chart does
A cross reference chart matches the oil filter your car needs to the part numbers that different manufacturers use for the same filter. Your owner's manual tells you which filter to buy, but the manual lists it by one brand's part number — usually Motorcraft if you drive a Ford, Mopar if you drive a Chrysler, or Toyota Genuine if you drive a Toyota. A cross reference chart shows you what that same physical filter is called by other brands: Fram, Purolator, Bosch, Wix, and others. This matters because you might find a cheaper option at your local auto parts store, or you might already have a filter on hand that works for your car.
The chart does not tell you whether a filter is good quality or whether it will last long. It only confirms that filters with different part numbers are mechanically identical — same thread size, same diameter, same length, same internal bypass valve setting. If the part numbers cross over, the filters will physically fit your engine and perform the same way.
Key Takeaways
- Cross reference charts match part numbers across brands so you can find the same filter under different names.
- Your owner's manual gives you the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) part number, which is your starting point for any cross reference.
- Online cross reference tools at Fram, Purolator, Wix, and Bosch let you search by your vehicle year, make, and model instead of typing in a part number.
- Auto parts store employees can cross reference a filter for you in seconds if you give them your car's year, make, model, and engine size.
- A crossed-over filter must match on thread size, diameter, and bypass valve pressure, or it can damage your engine.
Where to find your starting point: the OEM part number
Your owner's manual lists the correct filter under "Maintenance" or "Fluid Capacities and Specifications." Write down the exact part number shown — this is your anchor point for any cross reference. If you do not have the manual, you can find it free on the manufacturer's website by entering your vehicle identification number (VIN), which is printed on your dashboard at the base of the windshield and on your vehicle registration.
If you already have an old filter in your hand, the part number is printed on the side or top. You can cross reference from that number instead, though it is safer to start with what the manual says your car should have.
Using manufacturer cross reference tools online
Fram, Purolator, Wix, and Bosch each run their own free cross reference tool on their websites. You enter your vehicle year, make, model, and engine size, and the tool shows you the part number for that brand. Then you can see what other brands' numbers cross over to the same filter.
Fram's tool is at fram.com under "Find Your Filter." Purolator's is at purolator.com under "Find a Filter." Wix's is at wixfilters.com under "Find Your Filter." Bosch's is at boschautomotivetechnology.com. Each tool works slightly differently, but all ask for the same basic information: year, make, model, and sometimes engine displacement in liters or cubic inches. If you are not sure of your engine size, your registration or owner's manual will have it.
These tools are faster than hunting through a printed chart because you do not have to know a part number to start. You can also bookmark the result so you have it the next time you need an oil change.
Cross reference charts in print and PDF form
If you prefer a physical chart or a document you can read, Fram and Purolator publish PDF cross reference guides that you can search by part number. Fram's is available as a downloadable PDF on their website. Purolator publishes theirs in the same way. These documents are organized by OEM part number, so you start with the number from your manual and scan across the row to see what Fram, Purolator, Wix, and Bosch call the same filter.
The downside of a printed chart is that it can go out of date as manufacturers release new part numbers. The online tools update automatically, so they are more reliable for recent model years. If you are working on an older vehicle, a printed chart may actually be easier because fewer part numbers exist.
Asking an auto parts store employee to cross reference
The fastest way for most people is to walk into an auto parts store with your car's year, make, model, and engine size written down. The employee will look up the correct filter in their system and show you the part number. Then you can ask them to cross reference it — they can tell you in seconds what Fram, Purolator, Wix, and other brands call the same filter. Many stores will print out a cross reference sheet for you.
This method works even if you do not have your manual or your VIN. The employee can look up your vehicle by year, make, and model alone, though engine size narrows it down faster if you know it. Stores like AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Advance Auto Parts, and NAPA all have cross reference systems built into their point-of-sale computers.
What to check when you cross reference
Not every filter with a different part number is truly interchangeable, even if a chart says it is. Before you buy, confirm three things: thread size (usually M20 x 1.5 or M22 x 1.5), overall diameter in millimeters, and bypass valve opening pressure in pounds per square inch (psi). Your owner's manual or the OEM filter's specification sheet will list all three. If the crossed-over filter matches all three, it is safe to use.
The thread size is the most critical. If the threads do not match, the filter will not screw on. The diameter matters because a filter that is too large can hit engine components or the hood. The bypass valve pressure matters because if it opens too early, unfiltered oil can bypass the filter media and damage your engine. If it opens too late, the filter can clog and starve your engine of oil.
Most cross references from major brands (Fram to Purolator to Wix) are accurate on all three counts, but it is worth a 30-second check before you leave the store. The specification sheet is usually printed on the filter box or available on the manufacturer's website.
When a cross reference does not exist
Occasionally you will find an OEM part number that does not cross over to any aftermarket brand, or that crosses over to only one. This usually happens with newer vehicles or with filters made exclusively for one manufacturer. In that case, you have two options: buy the OEM filter from the dealer, or use the single aftermarket option that does cross over.
Dealer filters are often more expensive but are may provide to be correct. Aftermarket filters that cross over to only one brand are usually fine — they still meet the same specifications — but you have less choice if that brand is out of stock. Check the filter box or the manufacturer's website to confirm the specifications match before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a filter from a different brand if the part numbers cross over?
Yes, as long as the thread size, diameter, and bypass valve pressure all match the original. Cross reference charts from major manufacturers like Fram and Purolator are reliable for this. Check the specification sheet on the filter box to be certain before you install it.
What if I do not know my car's engine size?
Your owner's manual lists it under "Specifications" or "Engine." Your vehicle registration also shows it. If you have neither, an auto parts store employee can look it up by your year, make, and model. You can also find it on your VIN decoder — the VIN is on your dashboard and registration.
Are cheaper crossed-over filters as good as the OEM filter?
A crossed-over filter that meets the same specifications will protect your engine the same way. Quality and longevity vary by brand and price, but that is true of OEM filters too. Read reviews and compare prices, but do not assume a cheaper filter is worse just because it is not made by the car manufacturer.
Can I cross reference a filter if I only have the old one?
Yes. The part number is printed on the side or top of the filter. You can use that number to cross reference, though it is safer to start with what your owner's manual says your car should have. If the two do not match, your previous owner may have installed the wrong filter.
What does "bypass valve" mean?
The bypass valve is a spring-loaded flap inside the filter that opens if the filter gets too clogged. When it opens, oil flows around the filter media instead of through it, so your engine keeps getting oil even if the filter is dirty. If the valve opens at the wrong pressure, it can either starve your engine or let unfiltered oil through. Cross reference charts may support the valve pressure stays the same.