Car maintenance log (free printable and spreadsheet)
A car maintenance log is one line for every service: the date, the odometer reading, what was done, where, what it cost, and when it is due next. Download the printable log (PDF) or the spreadsheet version (CSV) for Excel or Google Sheets.
On this page (8 sections)
Download the log
- Printable PDF: letter size, with room for your car’s details at the top and rows for service entries. Print a few pages and keep them in the glove box with your receipts.
- Spreadsheet (CSV): the same columns and one example row. Open it in Excel, Numbers, or Google Sheets (File, then Import), delete the example, and add your own. A spreadsheet can sort by date and add up costs for you.
Keep one log per car. Both files are free.
What each column means
| Column | What to write |
|---|---|
| Date | The day the work was done. |
| Odometer | The mileage on the day of service. It is on most receipts, too. |
| Work done | What was done, in plain words: “oil and filter change,” “rotated tires,” “new front brake pads.” Add part names or numbers if you have them. |
| Where | The shop name, or “DIY” if you did it yourself. |
| Cost | The total paid, parts and labor. |
| Notes | Anything worth remembering: the oil type, a tire date code, a warning from the mechanic, a warranty on the part. |
| Next due: miles | The odometer reading when this service is due again. |
| Next due: date | The date it is due, for items your owner’s manual sets by time as well as miles. |
How to fill it in: an example
| Date | Odometer | Work done | Where | Cost | Next due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 8, 2026 | 45,210 | Oil and oil filter change | Main Street Auto | $79.95 | 50,210 mi or May 8, 2027 |
| Nov. 8, 2026 | 45,210 | Rotated tires; tread 6/32 inch | Main Street Auto | $0 (with oil change) | 50,210 mi |
| Nov. 15, 2026 | 45,480 | Replaced wiper blades | DIY | $32.00 | Nov. 2027 |
Example entries only. The intervals for your car are in its owner’s manual; they differ by make, model, engine, and how you drive.
Write the entry the day the work is done, while the receipt is in your hand. Then file the receipt with the log.
What to log
- Routine service: oil changes, tire rotations, filters, fluids, brakes, wiper blades, batteries.
- Tires: the date you bought them, the odometer, and their date code. See how to read the tire date code and how long tires last.
- Repairs and recalls: what failed, what was replaced, and any warranty on the repair.
- Inspections: state inspections and anything the shop flagged to watch.
Not sure what to check, or when? Our car maintenance checklist lists the routine checks by month, season, and year. Gas is a separate log: fill-ups tell you your MPG and fuel cost per mile. If you drive for work, keep a mileage log as well; it records trips, not service.
Why records matter: warranty and resale
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises keeping records of repairs and maintenance, such as oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, new brake pads, and inspections. Those records help if you need to use your warranty and show that you maintained the car. The FTC also says you don’t have to use the dealer for repairs or maintenance to keep your warranty in effect, so a log is how you show work done anywhere else, including your own garage. More on that: maintenance and your warranty and what car maintenance records to keep.
When you sell the car, a complete log answers a buyer’s first question: has it been taken care of?
Paper, spreadsheet, or app
Paper is easy and lives in the car. A spreadsheet adds up costs and sorts by date. Both depend on you to remember what is due next, which is where most logs fall behind. Whatever you pick, the habit is the same: one entry per service, with the date and the odometer.
FAQ
What should a car maintenance log include?
For each service: the date, the odometer reading, the work done, where it was done, the cost, notes, and when it is due next by miles and by date. At the top, note the car’s year, make, model, and VIN.
Can I open the log in Excel or Google Sheets?
Yes. Download the CSV file and open it in Excel or Numbers, or import it into Google Sheets (File, then Import). Save it in your spreadsheet’s own format after you open it so you can add formulas.
Do I have to service my car at the dealer to keep the warranty?
No. The FTC says you don’t have to use the dealer for repairs or maintenance to keep your warranty in effect. Keep the receipts and a log so you can show the work was done. This is general information, not legal advice; your warranty booklet has the details for your car.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission, Auto warranties and auto service contracts (checked November 12, 2026): consumer.ftc.gov