Use it every other day at work, sometimes every day. Just used to it, even if I'm not much of a power user (barely scratch the surface as to its abilities).
What do you use for maintenance records?
- Thread starter IcarusLSC
- Start date
I thought EXCELL was a battery sold at WM. 
Word doc. One for each vehicle, although I do keep a time log in Excel for the generator so I can track run time.
Generally don't keep receipts for routine maint.
Generally don't keep receipts for routine maint.
Howdy doitmyself,
Let me respond I'll pick fragments of your post and comment in CAPS for clarity. I'm not yelling.
I suppose I can accept meticulous records if you derive enjoyment from it. If OCD driven and feelings of uncomfortable drive it, then I part ways with it. HARDLY METICULOUS. 3 COLUMNS OF FIGURES IN A 2" X 3" SPIRAL CAN'T BE METICULOUS. I WAS A PILOT AND THE LOG BOOKS WERE DETAILED. ME KEEPING RECORDS ARE AS OCD AS A SEAMSTRESS DONNING A THIMBLE.
TODAY'S COMPUTER PROGRAMS MAKES IT INDESCRIBABLY EASY.
Approaching my mid-sixties, I think meticulous record keeping is over rated and constitutes time suckage. I keep "just enough" and spend the least amount of time possible on it. Receipts in an envelop are there IF and When I need the information. No use spending tons of time duplicating their information and a fancy filing system. IT'S VERY FAST TO DO. I REFER TO MY NOTES ALL THE TIME ANSWERING QUESTIONS ON SPECIFIC BRAND BOARDS. TRUE, SOMETIMES A PROSPECTIVE BUYER DOESN'T CARE (or even know) ABOUT MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER, RECORDS OFTEN MAKE A SALE. IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO ACCURATELY ASSIGN "OVER or UNDER" RATING. REMEMBER, THE PREPARED SELLER (me) CAN HAS THE OPTION TO KEEP QUIET.
After telling a used car candidate my maintenance schedule and recent work (i.e., brakes), I've never resorted to showing or giving them my maintenance records. People who even care about this stuff know when a person has taken good care of the vehicle. And, mine are always daily driver vehicles that are close to worn out. I SOLD MOST OF MY CARS AT OR NEAR WEAROUT TOO BUT NOT ALL OF THEM. MANY DO CARE.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO SAY TO A PROSPECTIVE BUYER WHEN I HAND THEM A CHART (one piece of paper) IS, "THIS IS WHAT I'VE DONE TO THE CAR. IF IT'S NOT ON THE PAPER, I DIDN'T TOUCH IT". IT WORKS WITH MY COMMUNICATION STYLE.
KISS principle for me. Receipts in an envelope and minimum notes in a notebook (I seem to keep up better compared to reentering stuff in Excel).
A LITTLE ORGANIZATION IS "KISS". I'VE ALWAYS BEEN FOR KISS. TODAY'S COMPUTER PROGRAMS MAKE KISS EASIER AND FASTER.
NO LECTURE OR PUSH BACK INTENDED HERE. DIFFERENT PEOPLE LOOK AT THINGS DIFFERENTLY.
PEACE, LOVE AND DON'T LET THINGS BUG YOU.
Let me respond I'll pick fragments of your post and comment in CAPS for clarity. I'm not yelling.
I suppose I can accept meticulous records if you derive enjoyment from it. If OCD driven and feelings of uncomfortable drive it, then I part ways with it. HARDLY METICULOUS. 3 COLUMNS OF FIGURES IN A 2" X 3" SPIRAL CAN'T BE METICULOUS. I WAS A PILOT AND THE LOG BOOKS WERE DETAILED. ME KEEPING RECORDS ARE AS OCD AS A SEAMSTRESS DONNING A THIMBLE.
TODAY'S COMPUTER PROGRAMS MAKES IT INDESCRIBABLY EASY.
Approaching my mid-sixties, I think meticulous record keeping is over rated and constitutes time suckage. I keep "just enough" and spend the least amount of time possible on it. Receipts in an envelop are there IF and When I need the information. No use spending tons of time duplicating their information and a fancy filing system. IT'S VERY FAST TO DO. I REFER TO MY NOTES ALL THE TIME ANSWERING QUESTIONS ON SPECIFIC BRAND BOARDS. TRUE, SOMETIMES A PROSPECTIVE BUYER DOESN'T CARE (or even know) ABOUT MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER, RECORDS OFTEN MAKE A SALE. IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO ACCURATELY ASSIGN "OVER or UNDER" RATING. REMEMBER, THE PREPARED SELLER (me) CAN HAS THE OPTION TO KEEP QUIET.
After telling a used car candidate my maintenance schedule and recent work (i.e., brakes), I've never resorted to showing or giving them my maintenance records. People who even care about this stuff know when a person has taken good care of the vehicle. And, mine are always daily driver vehicles that are close to worn out. I SOLD MOST OF MY CARS AT OR NEAR WEAROUT TOO BUT NOT ALL OF THEM. MANY DO CARE.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO SAY TO A PROSPECTIVE BUYER WHEN I HAND THEM A CHART (one piece of paper) IS, "THIS IS WHAT I'VE DONE TO THE CAR. IF IT'S NOT ON THE PAPER, I DIDN'T TOUCH IT". IT WORKS WITH MY COMMUNICATION STYLE.
KISS principle for me. Receipts in an envelope and minimum notes in a notebook (I seem to keep up better compared to reentering stuff in Excel).
A LITTLE ORGANIZATION IS "KISS". I'VE ALWAYS BEEN FOR KISS. TODAY'S COMPUTER PROGRAMS MAKE KISS EASIER AND FASTER.
NO LECTURE OR PUSH BACK INTENDED HERE. DIFFERENT PEOPLE LOOK AT THINGS DIFFERENTLY.
PEACE, LOVE AND DON'T LET THINGS BUG YOU.
I just use service book and write what I've did to the vehicle. Dad writies
I use a notebook for each vehicle. Dad use a driver's sunvisor to record his maintenance. Madness I know.
MAZDA website. I add my information and dealers adds theirs. Ed
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Trading in can be different from selling … Last two dealers when I handed over my records ?
Sir, we don’t need any of that …
Sir, we don’t need any of that …
Another Excel spreadsheet user. Columns for each of the maintenance items. Essentially an electronic version of what is in the Owner's Manual maintenance chart. Plus a lot of columns for maintenance items that I have added.
Then I keep a three ring binder for the receipts. I tape receipts for oil and filters and such to a sheet of paper, and record mileage and date of service.
Some may say that record keeping becomes a chore and a waste of time. But I have found both the electronic and the paper records to be very helpful references. For example, no question as to when the next transmission service should be, as I have records for when each has been done. Someone here may ask how much Subaru OEM CVT fluid costs. I can tell them how much I paid at the local Subaru dealership.
It doesn't matter what Carfax does or does not show. I've got a whole binder full of records for services. And I can give the next owner a flash drive with the Excel records also.
Then I keep a three ring binder for the receipts. I tape receipts for oil and filters and such to a sheet of paper, and record mileage and date of service.
Some may say that record keeping becomes a chore and a waste of time. But I have found both the electronic and the paper records to be very helpful references. For example, no question as to when the next transmission service should be, as I have records for when each has been done. Someone here may ask how much Subaru OEM CVT fluid costs. I can tell them how much I paid at the local Subaru dealership.
It doesn't matter what Carfax does or does not show. I've got a whole binder full of records for services. And I can give the next owner a flash drive with the Excel records also.
@Kira. LOL, sorry, but my post should have been worded " I suppose I (emphasis on me, my inclination) can accept meticulous records if you a person (not you personally) derives enjoyment from it (you stated it entertains you), My intended point was that meticulous record keeping if driven by evil OCD is not healthy. If it's an enjoyable routine, then good for that person. But, even then, it is none of my business and everyone can do as they please.
I spend too much time at work on records. In my non-work life I don't want to spend time keeping records any more than is required. For me it is a necessary evil and not something that entertains me. Mowing lawns or pulling weeds is more appealing.
My used car sales experience regarding maintenance records differs from yours. So be it. But, I do have the essential records if anyone asks.
Again, my post was more about me,not others, and especially not you personally. The power of misqued words on a social media site is powerful. I need to be more careful not to incite an angry riot!
I spend too much time at work on records. In my non-work life I don't want to spend time keeping records any more than is required. For me it is a necessary evil and not something that entertains me. Mowing lawns or pulling weeds is more appealing.
My used car sales experience regarding maintenance records differs from yours. So be it. But, I do have the essential records if anyone asks.
Again, my post was more about me,not others, and especially not you personally. The power of misqued words on a social media site is powerful. I need to be more careful not to incite an angry riot!
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I keep a note pad in each vehicle as well as log everything in a separate notebook. Miles, date, and maintenance accomplished. I Believe this is what made it possible to get such a high asking price for my 2002 Silverado. That and I had the original window sticker.
Previously used Fuely but can't say enough about FUELIO, I still put all oil changes in a spreadsheet and shoot .pdf's but Fuelio is simply great. Amazed by the number of people using paper. Haven't kept anything on paper in twenty or more years.
I buy my oil and filters in bulk, so a picture of those receipts is useless.
Need to start something again with my current DD as I'm not just remembering stuff like I used to. I'd love to find a good app to use...
Still can't believe the number of Excel users
Need to start something again with my current DD as I'm not just remembering stuff like I used to. I'd love to find a good app to use...
Still can't believe the number of Excel users
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2020
- Messages
- 8
I have a file folder for each car, starting with purchase info; i keep all service and parts-purchase receipts in it, and I have log sheets in the front...date, mileage, what was done, by whom, and cost. I mostly do OCs myself so I record the oil and filter used. If I plan to do a UOA on that particular filI, I leave extra space for notes on that.
I just want to toss out two tantalizers to folks reading this.
1) When I emailed a car shopper my records showing that I had installed Bilstein H6's on our 2005 Saab 9-5 Aero he dropped everything and came over to buy it.
2) A young man answered my records email (sister's Mazda3 w/<60K) with a "SOLD". The sale was $6,800. Contacts I have in the wholesale business offered $3,000-$3,200.
1) When I emailed a car shopper my records showing that I had installed Bilstein H6's on our 2005 Saab 9-5 Aero he dropped everything and came over to buy it.
2) A young man answered my records email (sister's Mazda3 w/<60K) with a "SOLD". The sale was $6,800. Contacts I have in the wholesale business offered $3,000-$3,200.
It's all upstairs, in the card catalog of my noggin.
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