Free car maintenance schedule and cost-per-mile worksheet

General guidance only. Follow your owner's manual first; intervals vary by car and driving.

Glovebox info to write down

Make, model, year, VIN, plate, tire size, oil type and capacity, battery size, insurance policy number, roadside assistance phone, mechanic phone, registration due date.

Common service items

Oil and filter, tire rotation, engine air filter, cabin filter, brake inspection, coolant, transmission fluid, battery test, wiper blades, spark plugs, timing belt (if your car has one), alignment. Write the date and mileage each time, then the next due.

Work out your real cost per mile

Add a year of fuel, maintenance, repairs, insurance, registration and parking. Divide by miles driven. Most people are surprised: it is usually well above fuel cost alone.

Work out your MPG

Fill the tank, note the odometer. Next fill-up: miles driven since the last fill divided by gallons added. A drop of more than 10 percent can mean tire pressure, a dirty air filter or a fault worth checking.

Save a repair fund

Put a small fixed amount aside each month (for example $25 to $50). A surprise repair is then a withdrawal, not a credit card balance.

6 ways to cut car costs

Keep tires at the right pressure. Do easy jobs yourself (wipers, cabin filter, air filter). Compare insurance yearly. Keep records so you can sell for more. Fix small leaks and noises early. Combine trips.

More guides: https://patreon.com/123black

Free copy on GitHub: https://github.com/BlacksGit/car-maintenance-log-free