You’re at a stoplight when you look at the corner of your windshield. May 30th? 3000 miles? You realize you are seriously past due for an oil change. With so much on our plate every day, it’s no wonder we miss the tiny reminder to take care of our vehicle. So stay on top of maintenance with a log. It’s a lot easier, and faster, than you might think.
Time to Log In
If you’re not into computers, then make a hard-copy log. Buy a notebook to use as your log. Get one with plenty of pages and a durable plastic cover. Use dividers to help you sort and categorize the different maintenance issues you’ll encounter over the year.
Record your car’s vital stats on the first page. Detail the make, model, vehicle identification number (VIN) and your insurance information. Have everything on hand that a mechanic might need to diagnose and correct a problem with your car. Keep track of gas mileage and oil changes.
Make a habit of checking the log book every time you fill up your tank.
For millions of people, this is too much leg work. That’s why so many of us are turning to our home computers, our Blackberries and our iPhones. No matter what kind of device you use, the software is very similar.
It’s the same idea as the notebook, except you can keep track of a lot more information in a lot less time. And instead of paper, you just email the information to yourself as a back-up.
Not only can you keep track of your car’s data, your computer or PDA will alert you when it’s time for maintenance like an oil change. The software is also able to do what you don’t have a lot of time for- crunching numbers. Let the software analyze gas mileage for you.
You can download free programs online, but it’s usually safest to purchase a program from a company you know. iPhones have Apps, and other PDAs like Blackberries have software to make it easier than a windshield sticker to keep track of your car.
Reed Brothers Automotive is located on Route 355 at the Shady Grove Metro at 15955 Frederick Rd in Rockville, Maryland 20855. Call Reed Brothers Automotive in Rockville, Maryland at 877-681-5021 or visit our website www.reedbrothersautomotive.com
Filed under: Car Care & Maintenance | Tagged: auto care, car care, car maintenance, oil change, reed brothers automotive, schedule service, service
