Keeping Maintenance Records

[Densetsu]

I bought an '04 Pathy not too long ago from it's original owner, and that guy has kept all his service records. It's amazing -- he just handed me an envelope full of garage and dealership receipts, everything from oil changes to repair work. The CarProof report on his Pathy showed two minor accidents, and he could easily pick out the receipts for the body work, as well as mechanical inspections that were done by the dealership. It was a big reason why I chose to buy his Pathy over the other options I had.

I was wondering, for the DIY mechanics, what kind of records do you keep when you do your own work? I'm a DIY mechanic as well; I've only handed my keys over to a garage once, when I needed a new windshield. I'm not too worried about keeping records for warranty purposes, but more for my own benefit and to make selling the Pathy easier (if that dark day ever comes). This is the first vehicle I have that has it's entire history printed out on paper, and I wanted to keep it that way.

Do you have a maintenance log book? A template "work order" sheet you fill out and keep? Do you keep all your receipts?

In the past, all I did was write everything I did in a small book, with a date and odometer reading. I'll at least start keeping the receipts for parts and fluids/filters this time around.

[ARKQX33V6]

I use Excel along with Word. I have all, everything including voltage tests to verify the alternator and battery. Records are 35 files, at 65 Meg including sketches and hints I have discovered doing the work. The service manual is good but over 13-14 years I have found mistakes, missing items and better ways of doing the work.

From timing, electrical, oil, routine along with busted things every thing is detailed with when what clock distance and body repairs along with maintenance items down to washes and waxes and leather treatment. Even the e test results and undercoating performed.

It may be worth scrap value by its age but I know exactly what shape its in. When sold the buyer is welcome to the disc that I will fill with the QX4's history.

Because of the good shape it is in and only 1/4 million kilometers and on its 14th year, there is plenty of life left in this car. I kept my 400 cu inch Bronco 20 years, so there is about 6 years to go.

[fueler]

i keep mine in a binder,

this photo is a few years old, from when i was considering selling the Q, the pile has grown since then

[kkamakasi]

For the BMW I keep a binder full of receipts/invoices, etc.

For the Infiniti/Chevy, I keep a written log of what was performed when.

[CanuckQx4]

I just keep a acordian folder and file the reciepts in everytime I install a part, since mine are all reciepts since I do the work myself, I simply write the date installed and mileage on the odometer in the corner of every reciept

[Chuck Tribolet]

I do most of my own work. The receipts get filed with the rest of my receipts (a couple of manila file pockets each year). I keep a
log in one of the book in the owner's manual packet that has some blank pages. I keep it short and sweet: date, mileage, and what
I did. Tonight's entry will read something like:

10/27/2010 186,704 Change oil and filter


Chuck

[Empty V]

I've got an excel spreadsheet where I fill out parts, mileage, cost and if someone else did the work who it was. I'll never sell the Q (because it's not worth anything) but it's nice to see exactly how much money I've put into it. If I compare it to my old explorer (which died at about the same mileage that I've got on the Q now) I've put in about 20% compared to what the explorer cost me. What a POS that thing was.

[ARKQX33V6]

Like any older car the QX4needs lots of work and if you do it all or farm it out lots of paper to prove how, when, where, what and why. And if you own it long enough the process will repeat and with records you don't need to remember how to repair it again, just look back.