Between busy schedules and a tight economy, we at Crown Acura understand that it's not always possible for car owners to attend to each and every service recommended for their cars. Although we certainly recommend doing everything you can, we asked our very own Brandon Cox to let us know which oft-neglected services can lead to costly repairs—and should therefore be considered non-negotiable.

Q: Other than oil changes, which maintenance services are the most important to my car's health?

A:  This is a great question, especially because many people seem to think that regular oil changes are the be-all-end-all of car maintenance. Oil changes are definitely important, no doubt about it, but so are the following services, which can spell the difference between a road-trip-ready ride and a major repair.

Transmission flush: It's important to get your car's transmission flushed every 30,000 miles or so. If you don't flush the transmission, dirt will build up and cause fluid breakdown—which is the leading cause of transmission failure.

Front and rear differential fluid flush: Neglecting to have your differential fluids flushed regularly can lead to fluid breakdown, meaning that the ring, pinion, and clutches will be under-lubricated. This in turn can lead to poor differential performance at best and, at worst, differential failure. If you have a new car, you should get the first flush after 15,000 miles and then again every 30,000 miles.

Brake Flush: Your car's brakes should be flushed every 45,000 miles or 3 years. If you don't do it, moisture can get into the brake fluid, which causes the rubber seals to swell and the fluid can rust the brake system, to very costly effect.

Brake pads: This one is more readily obvious, but if you don't get your brake pads regularly replaced, the metal-on-metal wear can lead to dangerous and expensive damage.

Thanks for the great advice, Brandon! And remember, be sure to send us any automotive questions you might have, and they may be featured in a future newsletter!