Lainey

You are so an engineer, Jerry.

Scooterboy

Like you, I have kept books with the records on every vehicle I have owned. I wish I hadn't pitched them after I got rid of the cars.

Today I have a spreadsheet that I use to keep track of mileage, repairs, mods, etc. I guess it is just my OCD!

Lainey

^
Another one??? What's up with all the record keeping?

Kyras

Lainey, the record book is just a convenient way to have all the maintenance and repair records in one easy place. I do write down each gas fill up too but I don't calculate the mileage unless it's a trip or I'm killing time.

So, how do you and Rick know when it's time to change the oil? Do you have a sticker on the car? For cars that don't tell you like most I've ever owned, I'd just look in my book under Lube and see the mileage and date of the last oil change. The book will have when I had the tires rotated. When I changed the air filter. When I waxed it. How do you or Rick, keep track of the maintenance items?

valentine

I've always kept up with my oil changes, etc. by keeping massive files and putting notes on my calendar. I think Patty's version of data recording is much better than mine. My Volvo tells me when it needs service by flashing a message across the screen. It repeats that message until I get it done. As to gas mileage, I have my car set to tell me how many miles left on the tank and instant reads on mpg. I can get a complete mpg check by pressing a button. I could have other messages on the readout, but I like this one. It also tells me if any of the systems are not functioning properly. My dealership probably hates my guts because if anything is awry, I'm on the phone. It even gives me tire pressure, tells me if my tires are too low and so on. My ABS system malfunctioned and I got so many alerts I thought the car was going to blow up. Took that puppy straight to the dealer! I put so few miles on the thing that time usually runs out on service before mileage.

boltonblue

You are so an engineer, Jerry.
[/quote]

In the words of a favorite former governor, You betcha !!
oh and I usually do it in my head but being lazy I only do it out to tenths of a mile.

My wife always complains when I put the snows on that she loses almost 2 mpg.
I don't think she's guessing.

Kyras

You are so an engineer, Jerry.
[/quote]

In the words of a favorite former governor, You betcha !!
oh and I usually do it in my head but being lazy I only do it out to tenths of a mile.

My wife always complains when I put the snows on that she loses almost 2 mpg.
I don't think she's guessing.
[/quote]
^Love it!

dlq04

It's an interesting discussion to see how many keep such detail records. I owned one car 32 years and another 18 years. Plus I have multiple vehicles to track. I found out long ago it makes no sense to keep massive logs or books. I keep receipts in a folder should a future buyer wants to see them or to prove a part is warranted. But, as for logs, I want them short to the point. I want to visually scan the log in a couple seconds to see when x was carried out last. I carry the log in the glove box.

Here's a short sample of my computer log which is actually in column format but it does not paste well.
First column: date, second column: mileage, third column: key reference, fourth column: added details if important, plus who did and the charge.

03/13/08 -55,800 - RADIATOR - flush and bottle of anti-rust which changed coolant to mud color from rust in the system - normal. Good to -40 degrees.
03/13/08 -55,800 - COOLANT - Universal Global Life (2 gallons antifreeze & 1 gallon water). Guaranteed 5 yrs. or 150,000 miles. If I need to add coolant, “Peak global life” recommended. (Master Radiator on Ganson $119).
6/11/08 - 57,342 - TIRES -two Goodyear Wrangler RT/S P255/70R16 with ft align…. etc.

By keeping a computer log I easily delete duplicate maintenance, keeping ONLY the last oil change, newest battery, last tire rotation, last tire alignment, etc.

It's of no importance to me when I did prior maintenance for the same thing. I change oil every 3,000 miles with a window sticker reminder. I don't care if I changed it 5 times this year or just two. What's important to me is when it was it last changed.

As for checking the mileage I do it two or three times a year. Sooner if I suspect it's made a drop (i.e., 17 to 12) which I can mentally recognize when filling.

That's my method…. yours may vary.

Lainey

I like it, Dave. A bit more involved that what we do, but practical and organized. I would have to go searching for receipts to find out if/when Rick dealt with coolant.

dlq04

Thanks, most lines don't have that much detail in column 4. I've found I can answer any question in any shop with seconds, should they ask "When did you last . . . .".