Question 1

What should a car maintenance log include?

Accepted Answer

Seven columns cover it: date, odometer reading, service performed, parts cost, labor cost, whether it was done by a shop or DIY, and notes. That is enough detail to answer when a service was done, what it cost, and who did it, without becoming a chore to fill in.

Question 2

Do I need a maintenance log for warranty claims?

Accepted Answer

Manufacturers can deny a warranty claim if you cannot show that required maintenance was performed on schedule. A log with dated, mileage-stamped entries is the evidence that protects a claim - a memory of having done the work is not.

Question 3

Can I use a spreadsheet instead of an app to track maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The same columns that work on paper work in a spreadsheet - put them in row 1, freeze that row, and add a Total Cost formula that sums parts and labor. The trade-off is that a spreadsheet does not remind you when a service is due; you have to remember to open it.

Question 4

Is a paper maintenance log good enough?

Accepted Answer

A paper log is fine as long as you actually keep updating it, which is where most paper systems quietly fail - they live in the glovebox and stop getting entries after the first month. A digital tracker solves the same problem plus the one paper cannot: it reminds you before a service is due instead of relying on you to remember to check.

Free Car Maintenance Log Template (Printable + Spreadsheet)