DIY Maintenance Logs

[MaddoxPics]

For those of you who do your own work on your 4Runners, what kind of paperwork are you using to keep track of everything. Have you bought a "book" like they sell on Amazon? Made your own chart? Just write stuff down on paper.

Looking to make my own chart, and while it should be simple I keep thinking I'm leaving something important out.

My plan was to just do a a simple table in Word and print it out into maybe a binder or something. Looking for what everything people tend to jot down.

My plan was:

Date | Vehicle | Miles | Service | Notes

Main reason with vehicle is because of the wife's vehicle, but then I guess I could do one page for her vehicle and one for mine to gain an extra spot. Whether it be for something else or to give more writing room.

Anyone doing anything special? Got photos of what you're doing? Maybe I'm just overthinking this?

 

[llDemonll]

Two books / pages / whatever. One per car.

The just date, mileage, and service(s) performed is really all you need.

 

[HanginInUtah]

Are you really wanting to write it all down? I've switched to apps on my phone. I started out using one called Auto Care, but I believe it isn't supported any more (although it's still working just fine.) I've recently been trying out Simply Auto to see if I want to move to it. So far it seems like a good app.
I'm tracking all of my fuel. I set reminders based on date/mileage for my oil changes and rotations, etc. When I perform them, I can enter them in to both reset the reminder and document when it was done. And for that matter, any other work I do can be entered in (at least, in the Auto Care app it was all that way. I'm still trying to see how Simply Auto handles it.)
If you're doing it digitally (using Word) then I'd say an app on your phone is awesome. But I can also appreciate it if you're set on pencil and paper. I haven't gone fully digital in every part of my life yet

 

[Bumbo]

I setup an intranet website using Microsoft Sharepoint… it’s a bit of a custom/advanced solution but it works well.

Everything from service records, receipts, notes, mileage, service data is all stored there.

I even have phone application which makes it easier to input records or search for data.

It took a bit to get it setup, but it’s been excellent in keeping us organized.

 

[flyrv9]

The only maintenance I've had to do so far is change oil and filters. I keep track of that on the back cover of the owners manual.

I also have a notebook of procedures I've printed out from this site to refer to. One is the oil change thread Antman posted - it's in the stickeys now. Another is the door lock actuator change thread I might need someday. Both threads contain part numbers and other info. For example: Antman listed all the part numbers for the filter and wrench; along with the tools needed to do the job.

Some things are going to be different as the Gen 5 4Runners have evolved over the years - so you need to be aware of possible part number changes etc.

 

[drewsro]

I've just been using this book for notes and when I do service. I got one for my wife's RAV4 too. I keep all receipts though in a binder.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1726835944/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[MaddoxPics]

Are you really wanting to write it all down?

Yes. I guess I'm still old school when it comes to the important stuff. Maps. Service records, etc. Just like having a hardcopy I suppose. Not that I wouldn't like just keeping it on the computer haha.

 

[MaddoxPics]

I've just been using this book for notes and when I do service. I got one for my wife's RAV4 too. I keep all receipts though in a binder.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1726835944/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

What are on the actual log sections like? Seems like all they should in the "look in" section is basically background of the vehicle and when things should be changed.

 

[Daikon]

For those of you who do your own work on your 4Runners, what kind of paperwork are you using to keep track of everything. Have you bought a "book" like they sell on Amazon? Made your own chart? Just write stuff down on paper.

Looking to make my own chart, and while it should be simple I keep thinking I'm leaving something important out.

My plan was to just do a a simple table in Word and print it out into maybe a binder or something. Looking for what everything people tend to jot down.

My plan was:

Date | Vehicle | Miles | Service | Notes

Main reason with vehicle is because of the wife's vehicle, but then I guess I could do one page for her vehicle and one for mine to gain an extra spot. Whether it be for something else or to give more writing room.

Anyone doing anything special? Got photos of what you're doing? Maybe I'm just overthinking this?

I started using Google Sheets for my Taco, 4R, and Prius a few years ago

 

[gsla72]

I've been using a combo of the owner's manual and the Toyota Owner's app to keep records of maintenance on the 4Runner. Any time I do an oil change I snap a quick picture with my phone of the materials (usually oil/filter) and the odometer as a record.

The Toyota Owner's app allows you to upload images, so I'll often do that as part of my log. You can also snap a quick picture of any receipts (i.e. alignment, tires, etc.) and add that as well.

I've been sending off a sample for oil analysis at every oil change just to keep some level of 3rd party recording as well should I ever have a major warranty claim. Once the truck is out of the 5 year/60k I'll likely switch to every other oil change for an analysis. Probably overkill, but more data is always preferable.

 

[Reinout]

Just like [MENTION=353252]Daikon[/MENTION] I use google sheets and all my vehicles are on the same one. Altough mine are not nearly as detailed as his.

 

[MossJenks]

I use college Composition Books. One per vehicle. Plus one for the hot tub and another that covers both the lawn mower and snow thrower!

I keep track of dates, mileage and notes - and often tape receipts or box tops into it depending on the service. If I have to do a big service - this is mainly on my classics - I do it in there as well. E.G. valve adjustments, suspension rebuilds, tranny rebuilds, etc. They're generally 100 pages, so even the oldest vehicles won't fill the whole thing - even for my Alfa Romeo I've only used 30 pages or so in 20 years...

 

[drewsro]

What are on the actual log sections like? Seems like all they should in the "look in" section is basically background of the vehicle and when things should be changed.

I'll have to grab a pic once I get home from work.

 

[carlodonz]

I use myCarFax, allows you to upload receipts as well.

 

[Daikon]

Just like [MENTION=353252]Daikon[/MENTION] I use google sheets and all my vehicles are on the same one. Altough mine are not nearly as detailed as his.

I thought about using one sheet w/ a tab for each vehicle but for some reason, i think my dumb ass will delete the spreadsheet one day lol

 

[A-P-9]

Excel spreadsheet. Column for date, mileage, hours (if applicable), vehicle system affected, short description, detailed description (including part number or brand, observations, etc.), and who did the work (if it wasn't me). One for each vehicle.

 

[sloscheider]

This is what I was going to suggest, anyone with a Gmail account has access to spreadsheets and you can create pretty much any type of logbook you want in there and then have a separate sheet for each vehicle.

I started using Google Sheets for my Taco, 4R, and Prius a few years ago

 

[drewsro]

Here’s what my car log looks like. Also my binder for receipts. My wife thinks I’m a dork ha

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[1000MPH]

I put everything in fuelly.com . I export Fuelly to an Excel spreadsheet to do additional calculations and as a backup to the website. I also have a spreadsheet that I use to print out and keep in my truck showing my current maintenance status and some basic service info.

 

[Reinout]

I thought about using one sheet w/ a tab for each vehicle but for some reason, i think my dumb ass will delete the spreadsheet one day lol

HA, can't say I have thought about that.

I also thought about buying a roll of oil-change stickers since they are cheap: can't delete that.