Guide to Keeping a Vehicle Maintenance Log

Miata Maintenance Simplified

One of the appeals of the Miata is its reliability. Unfortunately, this can create a false sense of security and cause us to forget the basic maintenance required to keep your car roadworthy and safe.  Proper maintenance is crucial and simple, but often even simple things are overlooked.  Below is a guideline to simplify the process and assure your car is in top condition making it safe, saving you money and avoiding getting stranded. 

Create an effective Maintenance Log

A Maintenance Log is an incredibly valuable tool, especially if you have multiple vehicles.  It’s also the first thing most folks are looking for when they buy a used car.  This can be done by hand in the Service Schedule portion of their owner’s manual (great but rarely done).  Today most proactive owners choose a program like Microsoft Excel, allowing quick reference to key facts for all your cars right from your phone.  It’s recommended to create a tab/sheet for each of your cars.  Below are some tips on creating an effective Log.

Start with Your Owner’s Manual

Get all Mazda Owner’s Manuals here  https://www.mazdausa.com/owners/how-to-use-my-mazda.  Loaded with important information, it contains your Service Schedule, which is key information for your Log.  When you have a question about any of your cars, go to your Owner’s Manual first!

Maintenance Log – Quick Reference Items

At the top of your Maintenance Log, put quick reference items such as the VIN, license plate number, color name & number, purchase date/mileage, build number/date and any specific details that you feel are important about your car.  This is also a great place to add a link to your Owner’s Manual.

Service Schedule

This is the most important part of your Log.  Below the quick reference items, copy the Service Schedule and intervals from your Owner’s Manual into the spreadsheet’s left-hand column.  This takes a little time but is essential in creating an effective log.

In cells to the right on the same row, simply add the date and mileage of service you performed, it’s easy.  You can also add a Note (right click on the cell and select ‘add note’) to add all details, notes are indicated with a red triangle in the corner and they show up when you hover over the cell.  Notes will give maximum detail and avoid cluttering your spreadsheet.

If you purchase the car used, get all the receipts from the previous owner, they contain dates and mileage of past maintenance.  For the most complete log, be sure to enter ALL past maintenance items, this is the first thing to do after buying any used car.

Parts List

This can be a handy section for quick reference.  As parts are replaced, or as you look them up, note them here.  Items such as the engine oil, oil filter, air filter, coolant type, transmission fluid, wipers, spark plugs, etc. 

Below your parts list is a great place to add a few more convenient links.  Your car’s specifications and torque specs could also just be added to the bottom of your spreadsheet.

• Search for Parts Online

• Torque Specifications from the San Diego Miata Club.

• Specifications by year from Moss Miata.

Other Notes

While studying your cars, you’ll come across a host of other details that can be very handy, save these notes into the lower areas of the Log.  Facts like Lubrication Specs, Fluid Capacities and wheel specifications.  This is also a great place to list details about modifications or save any research information for later (such as our search for a replacement key fob, which is still not available by the way!). Simply copy from spec sheets and paste into your document, they can be VERY handy down the road.  See Sample Maintenance Log.

DISCLAIMER: This article was prepared by a club member and considered editorial and a matter of opinion.  Neither the Peak-to-Peak Miata club or any of its members accepts any responsibility for the choices, modifications or how you choose to maintain your car.  

- Peak to Peak Miata Club, December 2025