How to Create a Vehicle Maintenance Tracker in SmartSuite

Setting Up a SmartSuite Solution and Apps for Vehicle Maintenance

Set up a new SmartSuite Solution from scratch (timestamp 03:30).

Click the Solution name and rename it to something like Vehicle Maintenance Tracker.

Add three Apps (databases). Name them Vehicles, Maintenance Schedule, and Maintenance Logs.

Each App lets you track the information you need to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly. Let’s look at each database.

Vehicles App

The name of this App is pretty self-explanatory. In the video, Layla gives us a tour of what each Record in this App contains (timestamp 04:50). 

Sections include:

Name – The name of your vehicle. In this case, Layla uses auto-generating fields to populate the vehicle name.

Details – These fields include vehicle make and model, owner, mileage, photos, and current status. There is also a Sub Items Field called Mods where Layla can keep track of aftermarket parts and modifications.

Maintenance Overview – This section tracks upcoming, current, and past-due maintenance items. Linked Records play a big part in this section, pulling data from our other Apps, Maintenance Schedule, and Maintenance Logs (timestamp 08:00). 

The combined Apps and Linked Records provide the information needed to update the Count Fields that display how many maintenance items are upcoming, due, and overdue.

There’s also a mileage log that you can update manually. 

Pro tip: See how Layla uses the Spotlight feature to highlight overdue maintenance tasks in red for at-a-glance visibility (timestamp 10:00). You can apply Spotlight to filter and highlight any important conditions that require attention. 

Maintenance Schedule App

To populate this App, Layla added all the recommended maintenance guidelines from her dirt bike’s operations manual (timestamp 10:35). If you have the original manual that came with your vehicle, you can find a similar schedule there, or if it’s gone missing over the years, you can likely download a copy from the manufacturer’s website. 

Record Fields in this section include the vehicle name, item names, last service date, and miles to the next service. Jump to this point in the video to see Layla’s formulas used to auto-populate these Fields (timestamp 11:10). 

Each record also includes an Instructions section for all you DIYers that contains images of the manual diagrams showing how to perform each service. 

Pro tip: Use the SmartSuite mobile app to view and update Records from your phone while in the garage or wherever you are!

The When to Service section contains recommended service intervals (timestamp 12:15). By adding them to SmartSuite rather than just referring to a PDF, Fields can be automatically updated to remind you when the next service is due.

The final section, Maintenance Logs, contains Linked Records from our last App. 

Maintenance Logs

Use this App to track the work performed by adding the service, date, and odometer readings (timestamp 14:55).

Record Fields include vehicle name, service date, items serviced, and who performed the service. There’s also a section for notes where you can add more detail.

Pro tip: You can adjust the Field settings so that only Linked Records that apply to the specified vehicle appear rather than viewing all vehicle service entries (timestamp 15:20). 

The Fields for items serviced and odometer readings populate our Linked Records to keep our other two Apps up to date. 

Sometimes, manufacturers recommend service at a set mileage OR a regular interval (such as every six months). You can use the Repeating Due Date feature to remind you to perform these services.

Pro tip: Use Form View to input performed maintenance quickly. This data will be automatically added to the Maintenance Log Records in SmartSuite (timestamp 18:00).

That’s an overview of how to create a custom vehicle maintenance tracker in SmartSuite. Be sure to watch the video to get all the details! 

So, if you’re looking to make consistently maintaining your personal vehicle or work fleet easier with comprehensive records and regular reminders, SmartSuite can help you ensure everything is on track and you’re not left stranded by the side of the road.

Until next time, enjoy the process!