Wanted to see what everyone is using to track maintenance? I am currently us Amsoil Garage but wondered if there might be other good options. It works but exploring other ideas as it tries to sell me products everytime I use it and sometimes I use Amsoil but normally I don't
Repair log to track maintenance?
- Thread starter spk2000
- Start date
I just keep an excel spreadsheet for each vehicle in our "fleet". Tailored to my desired info. ONe file name, tab for each vehicle.
Evernote. I have a 'Maintenance Log' note for every machine I own, which is just a bullet-point list with date, mileage, location...plus all other pertinent maintenance or repair details, inc. part #s, prices, people I talk with, etc. Free form text works well for me. I'm a software dev, so I could easily write my own software, but nah.
^^ Same. But the log is for my benefit. No concern regarding warranty or resale.
I have everything on mine - cars, lawnmower, generator, etc.
same here. no vehicle I have is under warranty anymore.
Photos on my cell phone. Pictures of service performed and dashboard mileage. I can just go back through my gallery to see dates and mileage and everything is documented.
Google Sheets
I use the free Carfax app, just discovered it was available.
I built an MS Word maintenance log many years ago and use one for all my cars. I scan and file important receipts as PDFs.
I keep a small book in each car. Each fillup goes into it, and I make note of work done. If I feel like it, I can transfer to Excel at some point. When I sell the car the book can go with it, although if it's to a dealer (most likely) I might as well just keep the book.
Edit: I own boring cars and it's unlikely that anyone is going to care to see receipts if I were to sell private sale. I do record keeping for my own needs/desires.
Edit: I own boring cars and it's unlikely that anyone is going to care to see receipts if I were to sell private sale. I do record keeping for my own needs/desires.
I tear the box top off the oil filter and write date/mileage of oil changes, all filters, plugs, transmission service and keep it in the center console of the car. Not very tech savvy but better than nothing. Older cars will have 4 or 5 box tops as service history.
Excel or similar spreadsheet.
Scanning receipts is a great idea. I have a file folder absolutely stuffed with them.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Phone
old school booklet. One for each vehicle. Mine are from griots garage from the early 2000's.
They are filled with barely legible scribble that practically requires a decoder wheel to read, but it's all there.
Not sure where I'll get my next one.
They are filled with barely legible scribble that practically requires a decoder wheel to read, but it's all there.
Not sure where I'll get my next one.
Signal app
I've tried notebooks, spreadsheets, pictures but I always think / remember something when I'm not near the vehicle / computer. I now use the Signal app on my phone by starting a new "chat group" for each piece of equipment. I can add a pic and details in the title (VIN / SN) and then I can add notes / pictures whenever I have the time. It's definitely not perfect but it's the only system I've used that works for more than a year (I've never been consistent enough with anything else). I can search each group separately for key words if I'm looking for history details (oil, leak, windshield, exhaust, etc).
Thinking about it now it would be nice to have a "folder" that I could store all the maintenance groups in.
Cool things I like about this approach:
- I can add people to the group who are interested / involved / need to be in the loop, can access / update from multiple phones, PCs
- free, secure backup to the cloud of all txt but limited media (can pay for 100GB I think)
- desktop app
- ability to add files (PDF, txt, etc), sound & video
I've tried notebooks, spreadsheets, pictures but I always think / remember something when I'm not near the vehicle / computer. I now use the Signal app on my phone by starting a new "chat group" for each piece of equipment. I can add a pic and details in the title (VIN / SN) and then I can add notes / pictures whenever I have the time. It's definitely not perfect but it's the only system I've used that works for more than a year (I've never been consistent enough with anything else). I can search each group separately for key words if I'm looking for history details (oil, leak, windshield, exhaust, etc).
Thinking about it now it would be nice to have a "folder" that I could store all the maintenance groups in.
Cool things I like about this approach:
- I can add people to the group who are interested / involved / need to be in the loop, can access / update from multiple phones, PCs
- free, secure backup to the cloud of all txt but limited media (can pay for 100GB I think)
- desktop app
- ability to add files (PDF, txt, etc), sound & video