DIY'ers Maintenance Record Keeping

[Tundradrenalin]

How do you DIY’ers out there keep records of your maintenance?


Me?
I record everything I do in my Tundra’s maintenance log book that came with the truck. I also keep receipts from where I bought the needed supplies if any are needed. That all goes into the Tundra filebox. And I use the maintenance records in my TS garage. Maybe I should go digital on my pc as well...

My hope is that my avid record keeping will reflect how well my Tundra is maintained in the event I need to prove it so.

[apimpdad]

I admit i don't keep records on my truck like that. I right down the mileage at which i change my oil and the mileage at which i need to change it next. I keep all receipts for truck related parts/service in a folder. It has receipts for everything from transfer cases, bolts, oil, drive shafts, hubs, etc..... I keep a mental note on when I need to rotate my tires and such.

[RitcheyRch]

I keep record of everything in a special handbook specifically geared towards maintenance in the glove box and at home have a folder for each vehicle with ALL records.

[spleck]

I had a friend who kept a log book in his glove box where he even wrote down how much gas he put in and the miles driven on that tank.

I have a simple spreadsheet on the computer that I record oil changes in. Until I put them in the computer, they get written on a dry-erase board in the garage.

[Thundra04struck]

I do the same thing with the maintenance book Toyota gave us with the new truck. I just check off boxes and write down what I replaced the stuff with. I plan on keeping my truck until it is completely dead but sometime down the road I could trade/sell it for a new one but I think with over 300,000 miles, the receipts won't mean squat to anyone. Maybe as a laugh to see how cheap the stuff was.

[benbeaux]

I picked up a "record book" from Target. I use one section for maintenance, one for repairs & another for accessories. I keep all the purchase/repair receipts & glue them to a seperate page for each, with extra explanations added, such as oil change interval length, etc.

[Greenie]

This may sound a little extreme but I made up my own personal invoice template similar to the local dealer invoice. Whenever I perform an oil change or other service an invoice is generated, a hard copy printed for my file and a copy saved in the appropriate automotive folder on my computer. I also save receipts for all items purchased and attach them to the hard copy service invoice.

[Tundradrenalin]

Originally Posted by Greenie

This may sound a little extreme but I made up my own personal invoice template similar to the local dealer invoice. Whenever I perform an oil change or other service an invoice is generated, a hard copy printed for my file and a copy saved in the appropriate automotive folder on my computer. I also save receipts for all items purchased and attach them to the hard copy service invoice.

THAT is innovative. I like your creative thinking style. Gives me some ideas. Do you use MSOffice InfoPath or Publisher?

[Sandinmytires]

Originally Posted by Greenie

This may sound a little extreme but I made up my own personal invoice template similar to the local dealer invoice...

That's an idea that could be marketed. Who knows, you might make some money!

[hilandfrog]

I started a committee to vote on the personel that would be qualified to talk to the maniac (sic) who does stuff to my truck and then write it down...

Till then everything goes in the same file as other truck related paperwork and I know a 5K change looks like on the OD so doing the oil is easy.
I've used the maintenance recommendations of the owners manual for all other things in PM.
Yes I'm that lame.

Repo

[yspert]

Originally Posted by Tundradrenalin

How do you DIY’ers out there keep records of your maintenance?


Me?
I record everything I do in my Tundra’s maintenance log book that came with the truck. I also keep receipts from where I bought the needed supplies if any are needed. That all goes into the Tundra filebox. And I use the maintenance records in my TS garage. Maybe I should go digital on my pc as well...

My hope is that my avid record keeping will reflect how well my Tundra is maintained in the event I need to prove it so.

also, look at it from a resale point of view. yspert

[Tundradrenalin]

I found some ways to go digital.

Here's the links to the software/downloads:
Fleet Maintenance Software :: Vehicle Maintenance Log Software (free)
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/te...CT101428511033 (Office'07 template)
Car Maintenance Software :: Vehicle Maintenance Software :: CAR Care Software (30d trial)
Vehicle Maintenance Software for Everyone (45d trial)

AutoVIP is pretty nice for maintenance and record keeping of said maintenance. I loaded all my vehicle history in there in under 30 minutes or less. And it allows you to customize the intervals and reminders. I put in a few new maintenance logs, seems very user friendly. You can create full vehicle maintenance tables. Free too!
I give this program /5

The Office template is for MS Office 2007 Access. It's nice because Office most likely won't screw ou on a crash and losing all your info. Template is basic and boring though.
I give this template /5

The CARCare software is amazing. It has so many options. Fuel management, maintenance intervals and customization, warranty info you enter manually, payments calculator, accessories, and a really nice GUI (Graphic User Interface). The possibilities of inputting info in this program are huge, I've not added too much, since it is a 30day trial, then you must buy it $39.95 for 10 vehicle, more for the 50 vehicle version.
I give this program /5

The last one, I didn't get to install correctly and it never loaded. But it look sto be in Deutsch anyways.
No-loader gets /5


The CARCare and the AutoVIP are worth a look IMO.

have fun!

[tnkbig]

Like a previous post, I hand write everything down when I do it:

*mileage of when completed, oil type/brand, filter brand, cost, tire brand, light bulb, fuse, etc...Whatever gets done.

Pretty much everything that I do to the truck, except gas, I write down and put the receipt in a folder. I have done that to all my vehicles that I have owned.

[spritefiend]

I use a text file on my computer with everything, I include mileage, what was done, and what I did it with. shoulda started sooner, but I'm now including dates with everything.

for instance, 03/31/08 - 25,591mi - Oil Change - Mobil 1 Truck & SUV 5w-30 - 7Qts

I also recently started putting stuff on my phone so I can have a quicker reference. I'm also going to be adding my MPG reports to the list too, been keeping track of them on my phone over the last 3-4months or so as well.

John.

[carados]

I bought a little 9 dollar leather notebook and a 3 dollar zipper bag at walmart. Immediate reciepts go in zipper bag and my book i write EVERYTHING in...IE services, purchases, MPG, just keep a good accurate record, not only for me and service reasons but at times i use the truck for work which means deductions and the more records the better for audits