Who goes overboard with car's maintenance records

[SteveSRT8]

Logging fuel consumption very carefully can help you to easily spot when service is needed. In the old days before OLM's we changed oil based on fuel consumed.

If I'm purchasing used the detailed log would be a positive factor for me. I like buying used cars from detail oriented car folks!

 

[Virtuoso]

I would never have the room for all my gas receipts..

I do keep all work and part invoices as long as they're still worth something (warranties).

I also keep a text file for both cars, this is what the Malibu's looks like:

** 99 Chevrolet Malibu

Oil & Filter @ 206.15k/January '11 Last: 197k/October '10
Tranny Fluid @ 198.5k/October '10
Filter @ 150.5k/October '08
Coolant @ 193k/August '10
Filled @ 210k/March '11
Power Steering Fluid @ 211.9k/April '11 Last: 196.9k/October '10
Fuel Filter @ 150.5k/October '08
Air Filter @ 195.3k/September '10 Last: 154k/February '09
Accessory Belt @ 207k/February '11 Last: 152.1k/October '08
Battery @ 161.7k/June '09
Cleaned 195.5k/September '10
Spark Plugs @ 195.5k/September '10
Wiper Blades @ 195.3k/September '10
A/C Refrigerant @ 195.7k/September '10 (~14oz)

New (bulk) vaccum hose between manifold & MAP sensor @ 196.5k/September '10

Two Republic tires @ 165k/August '09
Two Uniroyal tires @ 196.3k/September '10
Rotated tires @ 202.8k/December '10

Checked Tire Pressure @ 213.6k/April '11

New Windshield @ 213.5k/April '11

New Muffler & Rear Piping @ 195.5k/September '10

Rear Passenger Window Regulator @ 150k/September '08

Rear Sway Bar-to-Frame Bushings @ 150k/September '08

 

[subiedriver]

I'm not anal about it, but I do keep all my shop reciepts for work that was done, as well as recording in a notebook. I also document every tank of fuel for mpg, to gather a trend, its a good indicator of when to do a tune-up.

 

[SLCraig]

I do not keep records, I've never had trouble.

 

[Cutehumor]

I do not keep receipts of anything unless it's to maintain my manufacturer warranty. other than that, they are gone. I plan to drive my car into the ground or trade it in. so why keep receipts unless there is a warranty in place. gas receipts? really?

 

[morris]

my dad kept very detailed records. on a 1977 new yorker, in the 1980s. he died dec 13,1987. a few mo later my mom had some work done. so one day i was looking at the records my dad had done, it showed he had put shocks on in nov of 1987. mom had shocks put on a few mo later. what i came to know was mom payed for shocks she didnt get. so took all my records to the shop, and made them refund ALL the money my mom paid. of course saying i would go to the D.A. helped. it DOES pay to keep records.

 

[doitmyself]

Regarding, the OP's original question, it seems that most here are keeping "common sense" records. The rest must be hiding in the closet. For me, like many here, I keep receipts (in an envelope) for stuff that might require future action (warranty) and a simple history log.

Quote:
anybody have an opinion on which maintenance program to use? I tried a commercial one (name not immediately available) and never got it to work properly. Any shareware or similar programs that folks like? Thanks.


My friend likes this shareware: http://clarktisdale.com/cr-screens.php

 

[insomnia]

I don't think I go overboard with my car's record and I know I spent way too much on maintenance.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

I have speadsheets on my Commodore 64, also backed up with a notebook. Helps me keep track of the fleet.

 

[DavidZ28]

Over the top here. I have kept every receipt since day one on my S10... including gas receipts. Every 50K mi. has it's own folder (on my third folder now). It helps with questions like when did I do front pads last? It helps on the sale of a vehicle too. When I sold my '86 Camaro I showed the buyer the maintenance folder with all the receipts and he told me later that as soon as he saw the folder he knew right then he was buying the car. Ever since then I've been a stickler about keeping maintenance records. Documentation... gotta love it!

 

[Spector]

I have a binder with receipts and I keep an Excel spreadsheet for easy access to dates when things were replaced, like batteries belts etc. At times it helps to inform a technician the last time something was done or if one has to return for an issue six months done the road

 

[stubbakatt]

Originally Posted By: SS1970chrysler
I have speadsheets on my Commodore 64.

Wow, that's a blast from the past

 

[FZ1]

I keep all repair and maintenance invoices in legal size envelopes. I'm up to envelope #3 on my 02 Accord with 113,000. The top sheet in the current folder is a legal pad sheet with upcoming maintenance reminders for oc,tire rotations,AF change, and cabin filter change dates,etc. My Dealer does everything,I don't do,and has backup history on their work on my car. No gas receipts for me.

 

[D189379]

I go underboard and rarely keep any records or receipts. It's all in my head.

 

[MCompact]

I keep all parts and service receipts in a separate file folder for each vehicle. I also log fuel economy(calculated at each fill-up) and record dates and mileages of maintenance and repairs for each vehicle in separate spiral notebooks.

 

[Jeepster_nut]

I go waaaay simple... I simply write with my finger in the dust that is on my engine cover the mileage I changed the oil at. Some of you guys have way too much free time on your hands lol

 

[Craig in Canada]

Originally Posted By: Jeepster_nut
I go waaaay simple... I simply write with my finger in the dust that is on my engine cover the mileage I changed the oil at. Some of you guys have way too much free time on your hands lol


Some of us don't have dust on our engine covers.

 

[Johnny]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
I keep a decent record of services on the Ford Owners Website. I've been terrible with keeping receipts, mostly due to my lack of any sort of place to file them.

I use the Honda owners website for both of my Elements. Every time a service if performed, I update my pdf file.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

Originally Posted By: stubbakatt
Originally Posted By: SS1970chrysler
I have speadsheets on my Commodore 64.

Wow, that's a blast from the past


And still very effective.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Considering my Subaru was my first new car, and also considering how anal I usually am about such matters, I'm surprised that I didn't (and still don't) keep any maintenance records for it beyond receipts for work at the dealership due to recalls. I guess I'm lucky that I haven't screwed myself but it hasn't been an issue, thankfully. It's 10+ years old with only 83k on it.

I'm not hiding anything from a prospective buyer when the time comes. Oil? Changed every 3.3k and you'll have to take my word for it. Air filter? Once a year. Plugs? Every other year. Tires and brakes and anything else? As they were needed, etc. I'm not writing down every time this thing needed new wiper blades.