I have a folder where I keep all the paper work I get from the dealer when I have the vehicle serviced. I keep these papers in chronological order and I also have a separate sheet where I write down a one line summary of date, mileage, and what was done. I make a note on the kitchen calendar of when the next service is due, and before calling to make the appointment I review what needs to be done.
How do you log or track your maintenance?
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I currently use a spread sheet. I also note the major service items and when they are due next. Saves looking things up over and over.
I used to use a simple paper list of service items with mileage and date done. I would pencil in the due date and mileage for the next required service.
In either case I can see at a glance what is coming up in the next few months.
I keep the bills (other than for gas) in a folder. Both methods work quite well.
On another note, I have a card for each service I perform with the tools required and torque and other specifications. Makes for a quick start and I never have to stop part way through to look for something. I picked up this idea from the lists operating room staff keep for every procedure. They don't want a delay or disruption in the midst of a procedure to get a piece of equipment.
I used to use a simple paper list of service items with mileage and date done. I would pencil in the due date and mileage for the next required service.
In either case I can see at a glance what is coming up in the next few months.
I keep the bills (other than for gas) in a folder. Both methods work quite well.
On another note, I have a card for each service I perform with the tools required and torque and other specifications. Makes for a quick start and I never have to stop part way through to look for something. I picked up this idea from the lists operating room staff keep for every procedure. They don't want a delay or disruption in the midst of a procedure to get a piece of equipment.
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I bought a 2004 Impala in 2005 with 12K on it. Since it was new enough to be under factory warranty, I started an Excel spreadsheet showing oil changes, tire rotations, brakes...I liked it so I started keeping track of everything...Then we bought a second car and a third...I have always backed my data up; so now, 11 years later, I have records showing everything done to 4 cars.
My spreadsheet is ONE one of the reasons I stopped doing business at the local stealership. Every time my wife went in for a $35 oil change, she would come home with 5 pages of work the dealer said needed to be done...brake pads, coolant flush, change belts & hoses, air filter, radiator cap, wipers, etc.
Meanwhile, what absolutely INFURIATED me (time and again), would be that I would go running out to her car, get out a jack, remove a front tire, and the brake pads have 3 times as much wear left as what the dealer stated, things like THEY would recommend a coolant flush when I had a receipt that THEY did it about 90-110 days ago.
The straw that broke the camel's back was when I was out of town for work and my wife called me and said she had a brake light out. I told her to go to the dealer where we had already spent several thousand dollars that year on maintenance...I thought they MIGHT spend 5 minutes replacing the bulb as a courtesy to a good customer...They changed the bulb all right...and gave my wife a bill for $45 with a straight face. My wife paid the bill and when I got home I just decided that's it. They got their $45 and lost a customer. And no, I didn't bother to complain to anyone, I just don't need their [censored]. That was Jan. 14, 2010. Haven't been to a stealership since.
Right now I can tell you the last date the wipers were changed on 3 out of 4 cars. I can tell you with absolute certainty that no one else cares as much about your cars as you do, and if you don't care enough to keep records, well then, no one cares.
My spreadsheet is ONE one of the reasons I stopped doing business at the local stealership. Every time my wife went in for a $35 oil change, she would come home with 5 pages of work the dealer said needed to be done...brake pads, coolant flush, change belts & hoses, air filter, radiator cap, wipers, etc.
Meanwhile, what absolutely INFURIATED me (time and again), would be that I would go running out to her car, get out a jack, remove a front tire, and the brake pads have 3 times as much wear left as what the dealer stated, things like THEY would recommend a coolant flush when I had a receipt that THEY did it about 90-110 days ago.
The straw that broke the camel's back was when I was out of town for work and my wife called me and said she had a brake light out. I told her to go to the dealer where we had already spent several thousand dollars that year on maintenance...I thought they MIGHT spend 5 minutes replacing the bulb as a courtesy to a good customer...They changed the bulb all right...and gave my wife a bill for $45 with a straight face. My wife paid the bill and when I got home I just decided that's it. They got their $45 and lost a customer. And no, I didn't bother to complain to anyone, I just don't need their [censored]. That was Jan. 14, 2010. Haven't been to a stealership since.
Right now I can tell you the last date the wipers were changed on 3 out of 4 cars. I can tell you with absolute certainty that no one else cares as much about your cars as you do, and if you don't care enough to keep records, well then, no one cares.
I keep the receipts in my service history and write,the mileage and symptoms on the receipt.
Nick1994
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I have a Manila folder that I put receipts in (only for big items) that I also keep my title in.
On the back of the folder I write the date, mileage, and what I did to the car. Like this last one I wrote on it.
06/08/16 - 212,504 - Oil change, Mobil 1 EP 10w30 & Fram Ultra
On the back of the folder I write the date, mileage, and what I did to the car. Like this last one I wrote on it.
06/08/16 - 212,504 - Oil change, Mobil 1 EP 10w30 & Fram Ultra
Versatile Maintenance Tracker. It is a free Java app that runs on Mac, Windows and Linux. I have been using it for years. http://vmt.sourceforge.net/
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I use an Excel spreadsheet.
$.99 spiral-bound 3x5 notebook in each respective vehicle's glovebox.
Works perfectly even when the grid is down or owner is offline.
Works perfectly even when the grid is down or owner is offline.
Spreadsheet
I track it with an app called Gas Cubby. Lets me track my fill ups and MPG, but also has a maintenance option
I keep a small 3x5 notebook in my center console.
I use 3x5 notebooks that I keep in every vehicle. I write date, miles, what service or repair I did and the part #'s to the parts I used.
I keep all receipts in a separate folder for each vehicle in the filing cabinet in the house.
Wayne
I keep all receipts in a separate folder for each vehicle in the filing cabinet in the house.
Wayne
I guess I'm the only one besides the ranch manager that writes rite on the vehicle's ...
I use the maintenance record feature of the OEM owners section of their website for all I do. And if a dealer does any work on the vehicles, they automatically enter that complete job in the same maintenance record on the OEM website. Easy to print it all out if I need to.
I have a spreadsheet for the item performed, mileage, date and even the parts used (with part #, incase of future revisions).
Here's one that I have for a car that I maintain:
Screen Shot 2016-06-12 at 5.09.50 PM by The Critic, on Flickr
Here's one that I have for a car that I maintain:
Screen Shot 2016-06-12 at 5.09.50 PM by The Critic, on Flickr- Status
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