You get your oil changed when you are supposed to, your tires are rotated every 8,000 miles or less and you even take your vehicle in for lube jobs and other important scheduled work. What more should you be doing for your car? If you are not keeping a maintenance log, you might want to consider it.

A maintenance log does not have to be elaborate to deliver benefits. Even a folder that can hold receipts for work performed on a car and notes about repairs can do the trick. The reasons to go the extra mile on this front include:

Warranty protection – Many new vehicles come with very good warranties. They can be voided, however, if routine maintenance is not performed. Having a log book can help you prove you have done your part to keep your vehicle on the road and running right.

Better upkeep – A log book can also help you keep up with work that needs to be done and when. It can sometimes be hard to remember when to take a vehicle in for anything other than standard oil changes.

Easier resale – When it is time to sell a vehicle and trade up for a new one, a maintenance log that proves the car has been well taken care of can come in handy. Buyers are likely to be more interested in a car with a provable history than one without.

Keeping up with a maintenance log can take some effort. The work is likely to pay off for you in the long run though.