Computer program to track maintenance/repairs?
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I use the one in ms WORKS
Excel spread sheet.
I could not find one to my liking and I need more room for notes and narrative than I get in a spreadsheet so I use a word document for each vehicle.
At the top is the basic vehicle information including the VIN and below that a summary table shows the most recent service of major maintenance items like tires, brakes, battery, flushes and so on (but not lube/oil/filter as that is too frequent.)
Following the table is a chronological history beginning with the purchase information and showing all work performed in a date/ details/ miles format. This is where the LOF information is recorded and I do track in a narrative style the brand and viscosity used, the OCI and how much oil was used/added in the interval. Of course it is up to you how much detail to add.
This is not as unwieldy as you are thinking because it is easily searchable. If I am reviewing the tire rotations or suspension work or spark plug changes I can search a key word and select "show all" and there it is.
The very last paragraph of this "history" is actually suggested future maintenance. I am routinely overwriting that paragraph as the suggested or "due for..." work is performed.
When a vehicle is sold that information is added and a print out gets handed to the purchaser. It is reader friendly for both technically inclined and not. I figure they can always show it to their regular mechanic.
At the top is the basic vehicle information including the VIN and below that a summary table shows the most recent service of major maintenance items like tires, brakes, battery, flushes and so on (but not lube/oil/filter as that is too frequent.)
Following the table is a chronological history beginning with the purchase information and showing all work performed in a date/ details/ miles format. This is where the LOF information is recorded and I do track in a narrative style the brand and viscosity used, the OCI and how much oil was used/added in the interval. Of course it is up to you how much detail to add.
This is not as unwieldy as you are thinking because it is easily searchable. If I am reviewing the tire rotations or suspension work or spark plug changes I can search a key word and select "show all" and there it is.
The very last paragraph of this "history" is actually suggested future maintenance. I am routinely overwriting that paragraph as the suggested or "due for..." work is performed.
When a vehicle is sold that information is added and a print out gets handed to the purchaser. It is reader friendly for both technically inclined and not. I figure they can always show it to their regular mechanic.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Excel/ Open office spreadsheet. Helped me find a receipt for a 6 year old tie rod end w/ lifetime warranty. Guy at parts store was impressed.
Seconded.
I also scan copies of all my service into a PDF file and keep them sorted by mileage. For example:
40,129 Mile Oil Change.PDF
44,598 Mile Oil Change.PDF
44,700 Mile Tire Rotation.PDF
...and so on.
The originals all go into a hanging folder, sorted by mileage, and kept in a fire-resistant chest. The scanned copies are, like all my other data on my computer, backed up to an off-site location.
I keep really meticulous records, as you never know when you'll need them.
To show an example of how meticulous they are, when I buy oil at Wal-Mart in preparation for an oil change, I'll highlight the line on the receipt that corresponds to the oil purchase, then scan it, the service report from my mechanic for the oil change, and the credit card receipt into a multi-page PDF, then staple them all together and put them in the file.
A bit excessive? Perhaps. Even so, I'd rather have the records and not need them than need them and not have them. That, and although I don't intend to sell this car ever, having detailed service records can increase the value of the car and assure the potential buyer that everything has been taken care of properly.
Excel/ Open office spreadsheet. Helped me find a receipt for a 6 year old tie rod end w/ lifetime warranty. Guy at parts store was impressed.
Seconded.
I also scan copies of all my service into a PDF file and keep them sorted by mileage. For example:
40,129 Mile Oil Change.PDF
44,598 Mile Oil Change.PDF
44,700 Mile Tire Rotation.PDF
...and so on.
The originals all go into a hanging folder, sorted by mileage, and kept in a fire-resistant chest. The scanned copies are, like all my other data on my computer, backed up to an off-site location.
I keep really meticulous records, as you never know when you'll need them.
To show an example of how meticulous they are, when I buy oil at Wal-Mart in preparation for an oil change, I'll highlight the line on the receipt that corresponds to the oil purchase, then scan it, the service report from my mechanic for the oil change, and the credit card receipt into a multi-page PDF, then staple them all together and put them in the file.
A bit excessive? Perhaps. Even so, I'd rather have the records and not need them than need them and not have them. That, and although I don't intend to sell this car ever, having detailed service records can increase the value of the car and assure the potential buyer that everything has been taken care of properly.
I've been using MS Excel for many years. I include notes as well has tricks that might make the job easier the next time. It has also saved me money, because if I buy a part that has a warranty I note that. Then I have a folder in my file cabinet where I keep receipts of all items that have a warranty. I've gotten starters, shocks, and brake pads free many times because reviewing my notes reminded me of the warranty.
I use Excel at my workplace. I investigated maintenance software (Database) 6 years or so ago and found that many of the software companies either faded away, changed their domain names, and/or otherwise are hard to find. This one seems to have weathered the test of time and their commercial version is being tested by one of our other units:
http://www.mtcpro.com/automtc.htm Enough for any "records geek"
Now my time management rant: I once found myself spending more time "managing my time" than actually doing stuff = bad.
- A file folder full of chronological receipts is probably 75% of my record system. I can find the receipt/copy as fast as looking thru a spread sheet, and it took seconds, not minutes to "enter" the data.
- Why re-write the stuff already on the receipt? Photcopy if fear it will fade.
- Records are only as good as what is input...garbage in = garbage out.
- Why keep records that are NEVER used or required?
- KISS
- Records for the next purchaser??? I don't have an emotional bond with my cars. Beyond routine maint., I don't care to disclose...say, that a certain model has certain repair abnomalies.....i.e., excessive head gasket failure. I don't lie, but it is buyer beware for everyone. You know what I mean here....I do use integrity about this. I'm not going to disclose that I get warped rotors every 10K...just tell them I put new brakes on.
I guess I spend too much time at work on records/"paperwork" to make it a past time in my personal life.
Rant over. To each his own.
http://www.mtcpro.com/automtc.htm Enough for any "records geek"
Now my time management rant: I once found myself spending more time "managing my time" than actually doing stuff = bad.
- A file folder full of chronological receipts is probably 75% of my record system. I can find the receipt/copy as fast as looking thru a spread sheet, and it took seconds, not minutes to "enter" the data.
- Why re-write the stuff already on the receipt? Photcopy if fear it will fade.
- Records are only as good as what is input...garbage in = garbage out.
- Why keep records that are NEVER used or required?
- KISS
- Records for the next purchaser??? I don't have an emotional bond with my cars. Beyond routine maint., I don't care to disclose...say, that a certain model has certain repair abnomalies.....i.e., excessive head gasket failure. I don't lie, but it is buyer beware for everyone. You know what I mean here....I do use integrity about this. I'm not going to disclose that I get warped rotors every 10K...just tell them I put new brakes on.
I guess I spend too much time at work on records/"paperwork" to make it a past time in my personal life.
Rant over. To each his own.
Thanks to all that responded. I also have paper records that I keep in a separate folder for each car. I was just thinking that a computer program would be a good extra way to go about doing it.
These responses have caused me to sit back and think some on how to go about doing it. So to the folks that keep 'paper', you win, I think I will continue to do what I am doing and not worry about a computer program.
Thanks to ALL for taking the time to respond.
These responses have caused me to sit back and think some on how to go about doing it. So to the folks that keep 'paper', you win, I think I will continue to do what I am doing and not worry about a computer program.
Thanks to ALL for taking the time to respond.
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