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I was going to post this in another thread, but wanted to start its own thread…
I do all my own maintenance and work to my truck, but I don’t log it into the Ford app. Instead I have a spread sheet that I keep everything documented in. From windshield wiper changes to oil changes (complete with amount of oil, brand and weight and filter used), any other fluid changes, aftermarket parts added, bulb changes, tire rotations, and even details of every fuel fill up since new. There are other things to such as when I brought it in for a recall or any work done. It is very meticulous and thorough. If I touched my truck other than to drive it, I document it.
But this is all kept by me in a Google Doc spreadsheet. So when people ask about records, how would that be taken? Not that I am looking to sell mine, but I have wondered about it. I know that things can easily be faked, and mines not, but I have wondered if my record keeping would be dismissed since it isn’t “official” either in the app or by a shop.
I started doing that, but then just decided to use a spreadsheet. Much easier to add things. Then there was a time that they actually took away the ability to add some stuff into the app…
But my question is, would it make a difference to you if the records are in a spreadsheet vs on the “official” app?
I was going to post this in another thread, but wanted to start its own thread…
I do all my own maintenance and work to my truck, but I don’t log it into the Ford app. Instead I have a spread sheet that I keep everything documented in. From windshield wiper changes to oil changes (complete with amount of oil, brand and weight and filter used), any other fluid changes, aftermarket parts added, bulb changes, tire rotations, and even details of every fuel fill up since new. There are other things to such as when I brought it in for a recall or any work done. It is very meticulous and thorough. If I touched my truck other than to drive it, I document it.
But this is all kept by me in a Google Doc spreadsheet. So when people ask about records, how would that be taken? Not that I am looking to sell mine, but I have wondered about it. I know that things can easily be faked, and mines not, but I have wondered if my record keeping would be dismissed since it isn’t “official” either in the app or by a shop.
I am aware that I can export the Google Spread sheet to other formats.
Originally Posted by 23F250ID
where in the app can you log maintenance?
If you go to the service planner in the app and click on recent history, there is an add service record button. I did that a few times, but as detailed as I keep the spreadsheet, I got tired of doing it twice and just keep the spreadsheet!
I am still curious as to what people think about using something “official” like the app vs just keeping a personal spread sheet, or even writing it in the back of the manual? Would someone actually discredit maintenance records and treat it as if there were no records if it weren’t in an official app? Private sale? Dealership sale?
(And no, I am not looking to sell mine, just curious which method of record keeping do people/dealerships prefer and do they reject them if not using that method of storage?)
Offical records or not but when buying used no matter how well records are kept it is still "USED". As a seller you have a $ amount what you believe it's worth. Many sellers are unrealistic because they're emotionally involved into said vehicle. Buyers have a set amount whether it's from online estimate vehicle value from somewhere or just financial. Then there are the tire kickers that are always looking for that deal.
Me personally I have always used these, but I track everything on my vehicles with receipts for all purchases to coincide with mileage book.
Just a sample.
I am aware that I can export the Google Spread sheet to other formats.
If you go to the service planner in the app and click on recent history, there is an add service record button. I did that a few times, but as detailed as I keep the spreadsheet, I got tired of doing it twice and just keep the spreadsheet!
I am still curious as to what people think about using something “official” like the app vs just keeping a personal spread sheet, or even writing it in the back of the manual? Would someone actually discredit maintenance records and treat it as if there were no records if it weren’t in an official app? Private sale? Dealership sale?
(And no, I am not looking to sell mine, just curious which method of record keeping do people/dealerships prefer and do they reject them if not using that method of storage?)
I never knew that was there. I love learning new things each day.
Thanks @scraprat ! That little book is nice. Until just recently, I wrote down all my info when filling up in a book I kept in the truck. As of a few weeks ago though, I no longer do that, and instead I just write the info on the receipts and I keep those. I actually have every receipt from filling up my truck from day 1 except for 1...
Anyway, I have no plans to sell mine, so due to redundancy, I stopped writing in that little book... I just keep all my records on Google Docs. If anyone is interested, you can see it HERE. I do like that I can easily incorporate graphs, and how I can easily use codes to automatically figure my averages, or mix/max when filling in my information. Then I just make tabs for each category.
As far as receipts, I keep up with many of them, but usually only for the big ticket things... as for filters and oil and such, those are just in my order history on the sites I get them from...
The maintenance records for the first ten or so years on my 2011 were kept in the book that came with the truck and in my gas mileage spreadsheet. At that roughly 10 year mark I got sick of recording the information in two places and went only spreadsheet. For my two week old 2026 I'll most likely keep with the spreadsheet documentation.
To answer your question, I suppose you'll find that the answer depends on the buyer. If it were me, I'd be elated that you had all the data in a spreadsheet. My plan for the purchaser of my 2011 is to provide a printed copy of my spreadsheet and offer either a thumb drive or email attachment for the spreadsheet and original window sticker.
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