Keeping a mileage log
Record starting and ending odometer readings each month. Mileage drives fuel, tire, and maintenance costs, so it is the base of every good budget.
Monthly vehicle spending summaries
Group each month's entries by category and total them. Over a year, these summaries show seasonal patterns such as winter tire costs or summer road trip fuel.
Long-term vehicle ownership costs
Add up fuel, maintenance, repairs, tires, and fees over a full year and divide by miles driven. Cost per mile is a useful number to track as your vehicle ages.