Preventive maintenance: meaning and examples
Preventive maintenance is servicing done on a plan, before something fails, rather than repairing it after it breaks. Regular oil changes, filter swaps and inspections are the usual examples, and they tend to cost less than breakdown repairs.
How it works
Preventive maintenance means servicing on a plan, before parts fail, instead of waiting for a breakdown. Oil and filter changes, inspections, tyre rotation and fluid checks are all preventive work.
The opposite is reactive maintenance, where you repair a problem after it stops the vehicle. Reactive jobs tend to arrive at the worst time and cost more in downtime. A written record shows the plan is being followed.
A preventive routine in a maker's manual
JLG's ES scissor lift schedule sets five inspection levels: daily, weekly, and every 100, 200 and 400 hours (about a year). Each level adds checks. The work is planned in advance and recorded at each stage.
The same idea applies to a car: Toyota's 2023 US Corolla guide has a visit every 5,000 miles or 6 months, with a fuller inspection list every 15,000 miles.
How to track it in Loggy
Log each service as you do it and set a repeating date reminder for the next one. The saved history shows what has been done and what is overdue.
- List the jobs your maker's schedule asks for.
- Log each one when you do it, with the reading and receipt.
- Set repeating date reminders so the next one does not slip.
Loggy is a free maintenance logbook app for iOS and Android. The free plan has unlimited vehicles, reminders, PDF export and vehicle transfer, and no ads.
Frequently asked questions
Is preventive maintenance worth it for one car?
It is the basis of every maker's warranty schedule, and a record of it helps when you sell.
What is the difference between preventive and predictive maintenance?
Preventive follows a fixed schedule. Predictive uses sensor data to decide when work is needed. Loggy is a logbook for the scheduled kind.
Can I use Loggy for a business?
Yes, for vans, utes, trucks, trailers and equipment. Loggy is a maintenance logbook, not full fleet management software.