CarCare Desktop Edition for Windows

CarCare Desktop Edition allows users to keep track of maintenance records and other information for up to 50 cars. Although the program has a few confusing quirks, on the whole, it was very easy to use.

The program's interface is simple and well-organized. One pane contains a list of the user's vehicles, and another displays each vehicle's details as they are selected. When users have set maintenance reminders, a third pane displays gauges for each one, showing whether a task is approaching or overdue. Users can also keep track of their expenditures on fuel, repairs, and accessories. For users with multiple vehicles, and especially for collectors and enthusiasts, this program seems like a great way to keep track of everything. We found the program quite easy to use; the only thing that took some getting used to was that in order to add records, users must right-click in the correct pane to open the proper menu. There are reminders about this throughout the program, but we wonder if it wouldn't have been easier to have a button for adding new records like most programs of this type have. Still, that's a relatively minor complaint. The program's built-in Help file is well-written and thorough, and users of Palm or Pocket PC PDAs will appreciate the program's compatibility with its mobile counterpart.

CarCare Desktop Edition has a 30-day trial period. It installs desktop icons without asking and leaves a file behind upon removal. We recommend this program to all users.

Version 2.1 build 091 added an import format for common replacement parts.