What method do you use to keep track of vehicle maintenance?

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Posted: 5/20/2018 8:55:22 PM EDT

I just did my first oil change on my truck and am trying to get better with keeping up with maintenance records with this vehicle. Do you guys just keep track in a little notebook or envelope for receipts? Or do you use an app that keeps track of it?

Posted: 5/20/2018 8:56:28 PM EDT

[#1]

Clip board on the wall with what needs to be done when and then when it’s done I put the mileage I actually did it at. Helps me keep track of what and when. Also did I do it on time and did it look like it needed a change.
This weekend put down front diff, oil, rotation, and filter. I was 5k miles behind but looked fine coming out. Also have a clip board with guns and rounds count to keep it up on parts change out.

Posted: 5/20/2018 8:56:55 PM EDT

[#2]

I use the car's service manual.

Posted: 5/20/2018 8:57:12 PM EDT

[#3]

... dealersip notification

Posted: 5/20/2018 8:57:31 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
I use the car's service manual.

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Posted: 5/20/2018 8:59:07 PM EDT

[#5]

Brother label maker for the windshield. I put the mileage when I replaced fluids or important components.

Other methods I've seen are labelling components with their mileage and date. That was a pretty thorough approach.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:04:18 PM EDT

[#6]

Field Notes notebook in the glove compartment. Mileage and service details. Pretty simple.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:04:32 PM EDT

[#7]

The odometer. Every 5k miles.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:11:03 PM EDT

[#8]

Excel spreadsheet. Log mileage, date, service performed, and part numbers used.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:11:30 PM EDT

[#9]

Old school oil change sticker on the drivers door jamb, major things like timing belts written in maker on radiator support or inner fender metal.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:13:28 PM EDT

[#10]

My brain.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:13:58 PM EDT

[#11]

Label maker, put label on instrument cluster.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:15:44 PM EDT

[#12]

+1 to Odometer.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:17:19 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
Old school oil change sticker on the drivers door jamb, major things like timing belts written in maker on radiator support or inner fender metal.

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This. One stop location for multiple vehicles.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:17:21 PM EDT

[#14]

I use notepad on y iPhone.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:18:44 PM EDT

[#15]

odometer and laptop.

oil every 5K, easy math.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:19:46 PM EDT

[#16]

Acar app. Rocks

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:19:51 PM EDT

[#17]

I use a paint marker and write it across top of air box.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:20:37 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Field Notes notebook in the glove compartment. Mileage and service details. Pretty simple.

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Posted: 5/20/2018 9:21:44 PM EDT

[#19]

I had been using the "car maintenance reminder pro" app that was purportedly backing up all my meticulously curated maintenance records for two vehicles, two tractors, a boat, and a Polaris Ranger....... until one day my android device crashed..... bummer.

Oh well.... at least all my records are backed up.

Not.

Those wounds are still fresh and it's been a year.

Fuck flaky app developers with a rusty shovel.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:21:55 PM EDT

[#20]

I keep a simple log on my personal email system.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:22:27 PM EDT

[#21]

I manually enter my maintenance into the provided maintenance diary in my owners manual.
I also keep ALL receipts from ANY maintenance done on my vehicles in a pouch in my vehicle.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:25:55 PM EDT

[#22]

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Quoted:
odometer and laptop.

oil every 5K, easy math.

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Yup ... transfer, tranny and diffs every 25k.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:28:23 PM EDT

[#23]

I use carfax. They have a great app, you create an account and set your piramiter and it reminds you. I change my oil ever 5k and rotate tires the same way. The app is really great when your car gets older and you are doing shocks and struts.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:28:52 PM EDT

[#24]

I use a small spiral bound booklet and log each incident through the life of the vehicle.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:29:16 PM EDT

[#25]

Service manual, and keep all invoices in the glove compartment.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:29:22 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
The odometer. Every 5k miles.

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For oil changes I use this method as well.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:31:56 PM EDT

[#27]

Try these

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:32:12 PM EDT

[#28]

Onstar ftw

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:33:15 PM EDT

[#29]

3 ring binder I keep in the vehicle.

I made a spreadsheet that has basic info like mileage, date, and work performed.

I keep it and any receipts for that maintenance action in a document sleeve in the binder. Also a mpg log.

I usually run 15-20k oil changes and change the week before Christmas. Do a drain and fill of the trans pan every 50k, diffs maybe every 50-100k.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:35:19 PM EDT

[#30]

My car has an indicator that comes on every 5000 miles. Last weekend I changed the oil and filter, greased the drive shafts, and rotated the tires.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:36:05 PM EDT

[#31]

My brain.

Or every 5K miles and do an inspection.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:37:14 PM EDT

[#32]

Phone app.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:37:14 PM EDT

[#33]

Fuelly app.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:38:18 PM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
The odometer. Every 5k miles.

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This. I use the Fuelly app to keep track of it all though.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:38:49 PM EDT

[#35]

I pay Volvo to do the tracking on my wife’s car.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:40:05 PM EDT

[#36]

I just listen for it to ping when it’s supposed to pang. That’s when you know it’s time. If it starts gurgling though, you might have a real issue.

Posted: 5/20/2018 9:41:32 PM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
Excel spreadsheet. L7og mileage, date, service performed, and part numbers used.

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This. But I'm weird and use excel spreadsheet to keep track of lots of things.

Posted: 5/20/2018 10:07:41 PM EDT

[#38]

I use the odometer. If the milage is a multlple of 5000 then time for an oil change and tire rotation. If a multiple of 15,000 then add change air filter, if multiple of 30,000 then change tranny/differential lube, plugs

Posted: 5/20/2018 10:08:25 PM EDT

[#39]

Quote History

Quoted:
The odometer. Every 5k miles.

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Posted: 5/20/2018 10:15:26 PM EDT

[#40]

I just have a notepad file on my computer.

Posted: 5/20/2018 10:48:38 PM EDT

[#41]

Log it in the service manual on blank pages in back.

Posted: 5/20/2018 11:01:40 PM EDT

[#42]

Notepad in the glovebox. Date, mileage, and maintenance/repair performed

Posted: 5/20/2018 11:07:02 PM EDT

[#43]

My auto shop guy advises and then I decide.

Posted: 5/20/2018 11:27:59 PM EDT

[#44]

Those little widow stickers that you get at oil changes as a reminder.
Got a roll of them from the shop and I write the mileage on them myself.
Soon as it get's close I change the oil (if I've had the vehicle long enough).

Posted: 5/20/2018 11:30:07 PM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:
I just did my first oil change on my truck and am trying to get better with keeping up with maintenance records with this vehicle. Do you guys just keep track in a little notebook or envelope for receipts? Or do you use an app that keeps track of it?

View Quote

I keep a small notepad in the glove box. Its' the easiest way to track repairs and maintenance.

Posted: 5/20/2018 11:32:55 PM EDT

[#46]

I use Excel.

Posted: 5/20/2018 11:39:07 PM EDT

[#47]

Quote History

Quoted:
I use Excel.

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Same. Have a tab for each vehicle and even the tractor.

I even have a spreadsheet I use to keep track of gas mileage. Every single time I get gas, I write the odometer reading and trip reading on the receipt. At some point I update the spreadsheet. Started doing it over ten years ago to keep track of gas mileage as a way of checking correlation with any events. At this point I could probably stop doing it, but it's a fairly quick and easy habit and I hate to stop now.

Posted: 5/20/2018 11:46:29 PM EDT

[#48]

One sheet with all service intervals. Save all receipts for when parts (belts, brakes, plugs, etc) and write mileage they were done at. I am sure there is someone here who uses this to tell them when to do service: