Both the Chrysler 300 and the Pacifica can make great family vehicles. Their price points and fuel economy are similar. While the Chrysler 300 gets a respectable 19 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, the Pacifica gets an only slightly lower 18 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. So choosing between the two is a matter of what you're looking for. Luxury or practicality? Space or style? Let's explore. Interior The Chrysler 300 can easily feel like a luxury car. You can customize its spacious interior with 14 different styles, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel has convenient driver controls. The rotary e-shift dial on the center console selects gears electronically and saves space. And if that isn't lavish enough, you can add heated and ventilated leather-trimmed front seats and front console cup holders that keep your beverages hot or cold. Versatility is the Pacifica's hallmark. It's roomy, filled with handy storage spaces and cup holders, and equipped with Stow ‘n Go second- and third-row seats that take it from carpool to cargo in seconds by folding into the floor. Three-zone automatic climate control and a built-in vacuum are also available. more Exterior The sophisticated Chrysler 300 comes in nine different paint colors and wheel designs. Available adaptive exterior lights auto-adjust for prime visibility on curvy or hilly roads by monitoring your speed and steering angle. The Pacifica looks sleek, though it's the tallest and widest vehicle in its segment. This exterior size translates to a nicely spacious interior. Available features include power doors and tailgate that open by pressing the key fob or waving your foot under the door. How's that for hands-free? The Pacifica also has a sunroof with a glass panel over each of its three rows. Cargo The Chrysler 300 has one of the larger trunks in its segment, and the roomy back seat can handle extra cargo. With the back seats folded down, the Chrysler 300 can fit 16 pieces of carry-on luggage, more than its main competitors. But when it comes to cargo, the Pacifica is unparalleled: with seats stowed, the Pacifica can hold 53 pieces of carry-on luggage. Technology The Chrysler 300 comes with an 8.4-inch touch-screen infotainment system. The Pacifica's infotainment system has a 5-inch touch screen, but you can upgrade to the 8.4-inch model. The Pacifica also has an entertainment system with two 10-inch touch screens in the rear seats. Onboard Wi-Fi is available on both vehicles. Safety The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Chrysler 300 four stars and the Pacifica five. The Pacifica also received highest honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Chrysler's optional advanced safety package includes automated emergency braking, forward-collision warning, automatic high-beam headlamps, lane-keeping assist with lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control. The Pacifica adds a 360-degree camera and rain-sensing wipers to it safety package. Surprising similarities in price, gas mileage, safety features, and technology make either vehicle a great choice. Image by FotoSleuth is licensed under CC BY 2.0
We have all been there, rushing around throughout the day with no time to sit down and eat. Because we are often on the go, the only time we can find to eat is on the road. However, eating when you are driving is a form of distracted driving, and it can be dangerous. Here are some reasons why you should never eat behind the wheel. It Slows Our Reaction Times If your hands are off the wheel to hold onto a drink or a sandwich, then you won't be able to react as fast if something happens. This is especially true if you are eating something that needs unwrapping or something that is difficult to hold onto. Some people even take both hands off the wheel to eat their food, which is even more dangerous. more It Is a Visual Distraction A visual distraction is something that causes a driver to take their eyes off the road. Both eating and drinking cause visual distractions, even if the motion is as small as glancing down while you put your cup in the cup holder. Some visual distractions are more severe, such as looking at your burger to find out where to take your next bite or looking down to grab a french fry out of the bag. It Is a Cognitive Distraction A cognitive distraction is something that takes a driver's mind and their focus away from the road. When eating behind the wheel, you might be thinking about unwrapping your food or concentrating on not spilling or dripping. Even if you're just taking a large bite of something, your focus changes and you can miss things happening on the road around you. Spilling Drinking hot beverages, such as coffee or tea, is more dangerous than many drivers realize. Spilling a drink when driving is distracting, but if it is hot, it is even worse. It can put you and others on the road around you in danger if your focus is on the scalding liquid that just ended up in your lap, and not on the road in front of you. The Greasy Wheel Many foods that we eat on the go can make our hands greasy or slippery. Burger grease or the sweat on the side of a soda bottle can make your hands wet and keep you from getting a good grip on the steering wheel. This can make it dangerous when turning in traffic or around tight corners on back winding roads, where it is important to have a good handle on the wheel. There is no room for multitasking when you drive. It doesn't matter if you have a hamburger or a piece of fruit, or if you send a text on your phone — these are all things that cause distracted driving. It is important to realize how dangerous eating and driving really is. If you wait until you get home or stop and eat before you get behind the wheel, it could save your life. Image via Flickr by wuestenigel, used under CC BY 2.0
Monmouth County has a variety of great Asian restaurants serving up some of your favorite dishes. Whether you're craving a classic Chinese meal or traditional Japanese sushi, you'll find some excellent food to savor when you dine at one of these best Asian restaurants in Monmouth County. Spring House Chinese Restaurant Spring House Chinese Restaurant is conveniently located in Ocean Township and offers a nice variety of authentic Chinese cuisine. The restaurant has dine-in, take-out, and delivery options. Chef's specialties at the restaurant include lemon chicken, sesame shrimp, crispy orange beef, and pineapple chicken. Vegetarian dishes include broccoli with bean curd, eggplant with garlic sauce, and mixed vegetables. You'll also find chow mein, lo mein, fried rice, soups, appetizers, and lunch items on the menu. more Ginza Japanese Restaurant Another great Asian restaurant in Ocean Township is Ginza Japanese Restaurant, which is a modern sushi bar with lively tableside hibachi chefs. If you're stopping by for sushi, a few popular rolls include the Lion King, which has shrimp tempura, cream cheese, avocado, and eel, and the Rainbow Roll, which comes with crab, avocado, cucumber, tuna, salmon, red snapper, and avocado. You'll also find a nice selection of entrees, including mango shrimp, pad Thai chicken, grilled filet mignon, and Chilean sea bass. MOGO Korean Fusion Tacos For something a little different, head to MOGO Korean Fusion Tacos in Asbury Park. This casual Korean eatery brings traditional Korean flavors to tacos for a meal that's completely unique. The menu offers meats, fish, or tofu that's seasoned in homemade Korean marinades, tossed with a homemade Korean dressing, topped with fresh produce, and served on a fresh flour tortilla. Before you leave, don't forget to order the Korean doughnut for dessert. Its cinnamon and sugar filling with a powdered sugar topping makes the perfect ending to your meal. Bamboo Leaf When you're in the mood for Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, you can't beat the meals offered at Bamboo Leaf in Bradley Beach. Whether you stop by for lunch or dinner, you'll find a menu that includes a good selection of snacks and entrees. You can choose a curry, classic noodle, classic stir fry, or fried rice dish, and then select whether you would like your meal made with vegetable, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, or a combination. Other specialties at the restaurant include roasted duck, curry sea scallops, barbecue chicken, ribs, and basil seafood. Taka Located in Asbury Park, Taka is a contemporary Japanese restaurant that serves a variety of innovative dishes. If you're in the mood for sushi, you'll find nigiri, sashimi, and vegetarian options. You can also go for one of the specialty rolls, such as the Firecracker Roll with tuna, spicy mayonnaise, habanero, sriracha, and togarashi. If you'd rather have an entree, the chicken teriyaki, salmon, tuna, and 12-ounce New York boneless strip steak are all popular options. No matter what type of Asian cuisine you're in the mood for, you're sure to find an excellent meal when you head to one of these top restaurant around Monmouth County. Image by Meg Stewart, used under CC BY-SA 2.0
