How do you document the work you do on your car.

[Judge2]

Simple case, would be that Friday, I changed my oil and filter. I feel like I should write up a "receipt" to my self, and then put it into a file with the other work done on the car, so that if I am selling the car, I have documentation that the work was done. Or I changed a plugs, distributor cap and rotor, I should have a receipt to help me remember in a year or three when I did it.

How do others keep track of this stuff??

[TrailDust]

That's exactly how I've always done it, a folder for each vehicle with all the receipts, work orders, whatever in it. The whole history is there, and when selling the vehicle it's a blessing to have it.

[projektvertx]

Yup, that's pretty much how I do it. I keep all of my receipts in the glove compartment. We've (my parents and now me) owned my car since brand new, and looking thru the pouch will all my receipts in the glove compartment, I've found rust proofing and oil changes dating back from like '96 I was still in the second grade in 96!

[hill8570]

I just have a little travel log where I'll note what I did and what mileage (same place I record my fillups so I can track gas mileage). That's for my benefit, not for resale purposes. Only receipts I hang onto are ones that have warranty implications (tires, batteries, etc.). I've never had anyone want to check over receipts when I've sold a rig -- the ones who are willing to pay my asking price (high, and justified) can tell a well maintained car from the run of the mill.

[pentiuman]

Originally Posted by projektvertx

Yup, that's pretty much how I do it. I keep all of my receipts in the glove compartment. We've (my parents and now me) owned my car since brand new, and looking thru the pouch will all my receipts in the glove compartment, I've found rust proofing and oil changes dating back from like '96 I was still in the second grade in 96!

I keep all my receipts and appreciate it when others do, just as was done with the 96 Camry I bought last year, which was a 1 owner car and had the documentation, dealers letter, owners manual, window sticker, etc. to prove it.

- I write oil change info in the back of a repair manual on all my vehicles that are worth it.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by hill8570

I just have a little travel log where I'll note what I did and what mileage (same place I record my fillups so I can track gas mileage). That's for my benefit, not for resale purposes. Only receipts I hang onto are ones that have warranty implications (tires, batteries, etc.).

^That's exactly what I do too. I have a little book in all my cars to record each gas fillup and everything else from car waxing to plug changes and tire rotations. If the car is still under warranty I also keep all the oil and oil filter receipts, trans fluid receipts, coolant receipts, etc., from all the maintanace work I do myself in the packet that the owner's manual is in, inside the glove box.

Mike

[BMR]

^Same here. The book is divvied into 3 sections. One for fuel records, one for oil changes, and one for repairs, tire replacements, stuff like that. The receipts for parts and services with warranties go into an envelope with the owner's manual.

[flyeri]

I use a little notebook that I keep in the car. I list everything I do except adding fluids and adjusting tire pressures etc. I usually don't list things like cleaning battery terminals and changing light bulbs either. I have sold several cars myself and no one has ever asked to see a receipt for oil and oil change. For that matter I have never had a dealer ask for proof that I changed the oil or did any service to honor a warranty claim. I do keep receipts ro parts if there is a warranty.