cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
20887
Thoughts on Auto Record Keeping
I have had over 100 cars in my lifetime, and I am a do-it-myself-er. In a semi-professional sense, because for 25 years I worked creating technical procedures and diagnostics for automotive repair shops -- you might have heard of or bought a book/data from Mitchell, Snap-On, Haynes, Autodata, Bentley, Chilton, and worked for big chains like Canadian Tire, Montgomery Ward, and so forth. Writing procedures, creating labor times, developing software to fix cars and light trucks -- that was my job. It was great, and being a car guy it wasn't all "work".
Now as far as record keeping, I'm not a paperwork guy with my cars; it's all I can do to keep the titles, registration and insurance straight.
So I latched onto photos as my method (you know I love a camera) and here's how it works for me:
New Truck Aug 9, 2018 Picture at the dealership taking delivery.
One year later 7500 mile interval. Time for an oil change (suction pump out the top, no draining mess)
Rotate tires, check brakes 14,000 miles
Last year's oil change Mobil 1, 0-20W
Today's check, it's been a year since the last change and only 5000 miles...
Might be time or maybe I can wait til its birthday comes along?
On the Chevy Volt it's more complex even figuring out when to do an oil change, because the engine rarely runs (we do about 70% on electric)
ARE YOU AN OIL CHANGE ZEALOT? Leave a comment below...
My step-dad sold Frantz oil filters which had as their slogan - "Change your oil a quart at a time, Clean oil Continually" - and we put hundreds of thousands of miles on our 65 Chevy wagon 283 V8 & other cars, only changing a quart at a time. The bypass system sends a fraction of the oil through this canister which contains (HORROR!) a roll of toilet paper. Gets everything dirty out of the oil, that's for sure.
Some of the fleet (and Angela Visser, Miss Universe, in my car)
I wouldn't suggest this for everyone, but it works for me.
Cheers,
Cazalea
Thoughts on Auto Record Keeping
I have had over 100 cars in my lifetime, and I am a do-it-myself-er. In a semi-professional sense, because for 25 years I worked creating technical procedures and diagnostics for automotive repair shops -- you might have heard of or bought a book/data fro...
Me too!
Better yet: Difficult to decide how to get in - she decided on Just Drop She had a much harder time getting out... ...
A man and his money are easily parted...
Here is the front of the alphabet / spreadsheet ...
Great Post. I keep a mix of photos and records for my cars.
I also have a Chevy Volt, and my mileage is more like 90% electric, so I change the oil every second annual PA state inspection on age alone. On my 1960 Buick, I do it every 2,000 miles or so, which usually corresponds to the start of spring. That car has...
It’s kinda a sad state of affairs when we only need to change our oil on our birthdays.
My insurance company now asks for proof of mileage every year because it’s only 5000 miles and they keep trying to charge me for 12,000 or 8000. At least it keeps the mileage down on my 2005 Wrangler.
Isn't that the truth? I have the same problem
"You would think they'd be happy we old farts aren't driving up a storm on the motorways, dodging all the younger maniacs who have no regard for speed limits, tailgating, or using their signals..." says the old fart.