Mileage/Maintenance Logs - Let's See Yours.

[jbcrane]

I’m the neurotic friend everyone has that does his home work, likes to buy new (blank canvas/clean slate/no one else’s mistakes), tries to buy smart, takes good care of the vehicle, drives the wheels off, then rinse & repeat. Because of this I bought an extended warranty with my ’21 Wrangler in April ’21: 150K miles/11 years. That’s about 13,636 miles annually to run each of those numbers out to their max.

I’ve always loved to drive; get some windshield time when you can think about everything and nothing at once. I’m still working, but home office, and don’t need to drive on a daily basis - but often do anyway. Some times just taking a spin up town to be out in the sunshine and re-focus my eyes at a distance instead of a computer screen. Others I’ll beg my wife for an errand to run just so I can drive my Jeep. I’ve had to really reign in the driving though, esp. after the first year, piling on 16K+ miles (compared to other vehicles that’s nothing).

So this year I’ve been trying to get those numbers back in check. I built a spread sheet figuring mileage at beginning of week, number of miles driven that week, end of week mileage, then calculating out the running total average over 1 year then 2. This has helped me examine/consider driving habits, not to mention save gas (which there are also columns for in the spread sheet, tracking total cost and number of gallons allowing me to calculate fuel economy with reasonable accuracy).

I do all my own maintenance (oil changes, tire rotations, filters, fluids, etc.) - but the vehicle hasn’t accrued enough miles yet to require more invasive maintenance I’m not yet trained to perform. So besides the computer spread sheet, keeping a maintenance/mileage log (a small-ish Moleskin journal) - with actual paper and ink - that tracks every tank of gas, every oil change, air filter, cabin filter, differential oil change or other maintenance-related event is invaluable. Once you get things set up properly there’s very little time required to maintain good records.

But- full disclosure: I'm also a compulsive journaler and a photographer who has over many years developed the practice of keeping detailed records. None of this is for work - it’s simply serving to help reconstruct facts about trips, places, distances, range of a tank of gas, and plan future trips. And - on the day I need to show up and exercise my extended warranty I’ll be prepared.

So I’m wondering… I’m sure I’m not the only one… Anyone else want to share how they track such things? Let’s celebrate our data-centric attention to detail.

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[j2.pictures]

Don't have a log, but I have a 2021.

-5000 miles done
-10,000 miles done
-15,000 miles done.

Almost to 20,000 miles already

 

[jbcrane]

What's your thought on all the tanks of 87? I've convinced myself 85 is perfectly fine for us in CO. Awesome work on your logs.

I'd love to consistently put 85 in, but unfortunately am one of those people that, if the manual says 87, put 87 in it. The few times I've gone 85 I haven't noticed any difference. I've heard the thinking that 85 in CO is like 87 everywhere else... but... my last car required premium gas, and I always used top tier gas - and it went for 252,000 miles. So I'm convinced if I put the right fuel in, the vehicle will last longer. It's hard to prove in the short term though. Thanks for your comments, and howdy neighbor ? .

 

[jbcrane]

Don't have a log, but I have a 2021.

-5000 miles done
-10,000 miles done
-15,000 miles done.

Almost to 20,000 miles already

You go! I hear ya... I just can't control myself sometimes. Who ever said the Jeep isn't a good road trip car isn't anyone I hang out with.

Steve Earl says it best, "hey pretty baby you know it ain't my fault, love to hear those steel belts hummin' on the asphalt."

Get a log. You'll thank me later ?

 

[Rhinebeck01]

I myself, though an old guy (73 yo) , no longer keep paper logs / log books.

I keep an Excel file that is easily accessible on my smartphone or on my laptop. An Excel file that I can easily print out if I need a print out..

IF anyone wants an Excel file that is geared toward recording Add-Ons and Maintenance you can download this one and use .....some of the Excel work is already done for you... Just make it your own... personalize it..

 

[jbcrane]

I myself, though an old guy (73 yo) , no longer keep paper logs / log books.
I keep an Excel file that is easily accessible on my smartphone or on my laptop. An Excel file that I can easily print out if I need a print out..

These days of everything moving to the computer, your approach makes perfect sense Bill. I'll say this though... because I spend so much time on the computer for other things, I often find myself looking for excuses to do things the 'old fashioned, analogue way." Nothing will ever replace paper maps in the Jeep, big Delorme Atlases, and canvas-covered, hard-bound log books. I love that I don't have to turn anything on to record an event.

 

[Reinen]

I'd love to consistently put 85 in, but unfortunately am one of those people that, if the manual says 87, put 87 in it. The few times I've gone 85 I haven't noticed any difference. I've heard the thinking that 85 in CO is like 87 everywhere else... but... my last car required premium gas, and I always used top tier gas - and it went for 252,000 miles. So I'm convinced if I put the right fuel in, the vehicle will last longer. It's hard to prove in the short term though. Thanks for your comments, and howdy neighbor ? .

You heard correctly, but there's a caveat. 85 at high altitude (such as the Mountain West) actually is like 87 at lower altitude. But for carbureted engines, which almost nobody has anymore. Fuel injected engines should get exactly what octane level the manufacturer sets as minimum. Especially so in a turbo where ambient air pressure no longer applies.

Higher octane than recommended is also OK but it's completely unnecessary. It's not more powerful gas, it can just withstand higher compression and heat before it combusts. Which your engine won't do anyway, so it's a waste.

So now everyone in the mountain areas of the US either uses cheaper out-of-spec fuel and accepts the risks or pays mid-grade prices for everyone else's regular grade.

 

[bthomp]

You go! I hear ya... I just can't control myself sometimes. Who ever said the Jeep isn't a good road trip car isn't anyone I hang out with.

Steve Earl says it best, "hey pretty baby you know it ain't my fault, love to hear those steel belts hummin' on the asphalt."

Get a log. You'll thank me later ?

Don't have a log, but I am a data geek, so definitely going to order one in a few mins and use it on my new Jeep! New car seems to be a great time to start tracking details . Nice pics of your Jeep at Imogene Pass. I ran that a few years ago, had a great time. Not that fastest way to get from Ouray to Telluride, but it sure must be one of the prettiest!

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