How to Keep a Car Maintenance Log

A car maintenance log is a small notebook or graphing book that is kept in a car's glove box and used to keep a record of all maintenance done to a vehicle; in some cases, one may also write down the amount and price of gas each time they fill the car up, as well as noting mileage.

There are many reasons to keep a car maintenance log, including: higher resell value, reference for mechanics, proof of gas mileage claims, and more. If you just got a car, or if you decided to take better care of your current car, read on to find out how to begin and keep a car maintenance log.

Step 1

Get a small notebook or blank pamphlet small enough to fit in your glove box. Make sure that it has at least 100 pages, perhaps more if your vehicle has low gas mileage and you plan to run it for many years to come.

Step 2

Write the date at the top of the first page. On the first line, write the current number of miles on the vehicle (for example, 12,384 miles), and next to it write the date. Beneath it, write the latest repair, maintenance activity, or amount of gas put in the vehicle. It is wise to add a small comment to the note, also. For example, instead of just writing "Oil Change", add a comment on how condition the filter and oil were in, such as "Oil was very dark. Filter appeared to have failed. Don't use X brand of filter on this vehicle." This will make sure you don't forget import things.

Note: consider using a waterproof ink pen/pad to avoid losing the notes in the event that vehicle is flooded or liquid is spilled onto the book.

Step 3

If the notebook is filled to capacity while the vehicle is still operational, consider photocopying the maintenance log and printing out digital copies. Attach blank pages to these copies and continue to make notes on the new pages.

Note: these notes should be shown to a mechanic in the event that the vehicle beings have problems. Being able to see a list of repairs and maintenance will aid in locating the cause of the problem.