• Home
  • Contact
  • About
  • Travel Bucket Lists

Seek Your Trip

Travel bucket lists and other ideas for adventures of a lifetime

  • Seek Your Trip
  • Travel
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Oceania
    • North America
    • Central America
    • South America
  • Business
    • Auto
    • Tech
    • Industrial
  • Fashion
  • Education
  • Health & Fitness
    • Love
  • DIY/Home
  • Sports

October 25, 2018 by Arlene

5 Ways Subaru Keeps You Safe

It’s not something we like to dwell on, but in reality, you’re taking a risk every time you step out of the house and into your vehicle. Yes, driving is relatively safe, but accidents do occur every day in every city. So, why aren’t we doing everything we can to ensure we’re protected?

While this might not be a topic you mull on often, it is a prime point of conversation at Subaru. This isn’t mentioned to worry you. In fact, we want you to set off in your Subaru knowing we thought of and implemented every innovation possible to keep you and your family safe during each trip on the road, no matter how long.

Aside from clicking those seatbelts and driving with care, we want you to leave safety to us. That’s why we’ve added in standard safety Subaru features you probably wouldn’t even think to ask for.

Here are five ways Subaru keeps you safe each time you’re on the road in one of our vehicles.

  1. EyeSight

EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is a set of Subaru features developed by our top engineers. They know that while style and comfort are on the top of your car must-haves, safety shouldn’t go by the wayside. So, they’ve added this suite of safety features into every Subaru vehicle on the road and it has been found to reduce rear-end crashes with injuries up to 85%.

Additionally, all 2018 Subaru models that are equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology earned the top possible ratings for front crash prevention by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

This system works due to a set of color cameras that intelligently and unobtrusively scan the road for possible, unanticipated dangers. Then, it implements the needed technology and reacts when you can’t or wouldn’t even know to.

It basically adds another driver for extra safety and peace of mind each time you get on the road.

  1. EyeSight Adaptive Cruise Control

If you’re on a long stretch of highway, cruise control is a nice feature to use as it keeps your vehicle driving at the same speed without your added work. All you have to do is safely steer. This technology, however, takes that to the next level.

With Adaptive Cruise Control, you select the distance you want to maintain from the vehicle ahead of you. Then, once engaged, it will do so by adjusting your speed as needed to keep you at your requested pace.

Now, you can stay with the flow of traffic without getting uncomfortably close to the vehicle in front of you. You’ll feel confident and in control when you use this feature, and stay safer than ever before.

  1. EyeSight Lane Keep Assist and Sway Warning

There are countless dark and curvy two-lane roads in the Pacific Northwest so it’s easy—especially when raining or snowing—to accidentally slip into the oncoming lane. And, while you may be the only one on the road, that could change at any moment.

This is when Lane Keep Assist and Sway Warning come into play. Whether you find yourself trying to stay awake on the way home from an unexpected overnight shift or the elements are impeding your judgment, we know these moments occur and have implemented Subaru features to prevent and correct the occurrence.

Your Subaru, just like you, will watch for lane markings to determine if you are drifting. If it picks this up, the system will alert you with warning beeps. And, if you do not act quickly enough, it will even help you out by steering you back into the appropriate lane.

While this may be something you can do without, Subaru will be there for you the one time it matters most.

  1. Pre-Collision Braking

Each safety element in the new Subaru vehicles exist to anticipate danger before it arrives and pre-collision braking is just another component of this package. While we would like to think that we’re all good enough drivers and don’t need backup assistance, everyone could use an extra set of eyes sometimes.

When Pre-Collision Braking is engaged, it will alert you it’s about to help out and then apply the brakes. While similar systems can help slow you down too, Pre-Collision Braking can bring you to a complete stop if needed.

Not sure EyeSight is necessary? An IIHS study found that it reduced pedestrian-related insurance claims by 35%.

  1. Pre-Collision Throttle Management

As a driver, your eyes should always be monitoring the road, but EyeSight is there to back you up. In the case of Pre-Collision Throttle Management, if your Subaru starts accelerating, but then begins to stop abruptly, it will reduce power to the engine and allow you to come to a full stop rather than accidently nudging the person’s bumper ahead of you.

This quick response by Subaru EyeSight gives you more time to recognize an issue and apply the brakes.

Pre-Collision Throttle Management may not always allow you to avoid a collision, but it will certainly reduce the impact force and damage should the situation become unavoidable.

Subaru wants you to have the most comfortable ride of your life when getting from place to place, but not at the cost of safety. At Subaru, it’s the people in the vehicles that come first.

But, if safety wasn’t reason enough to make sure your vehicle is equipped with EyeSight, how about saving money? In 2015, Americans who had a Subaru with EyeSight saved an average $200 through Liberty Mutual Insurance. Check with you car insurance provider and see if investing in EyeSight will save you money too.

Are you ready to find your perfect Subaru? Head over to your local dealership and ask for a test drive. And don’t be worried that EyeSight isn’t available on the vehicle you want. It comes standard on models ranging from the WRX to the Outback to the brand new 2019 Ascent.

Filed Under: Auto Tagged With: auto, safety, Subaru, vehicle

August 20, 2018 by Arlene

Mazda CX-5 & Mazda CX-9 Named Best in Class

Mazda crossovers CX-5 and CX-9 were both named the best in class by Car and Driver in 2018. The CX-9 also won it its category for the second year in a row, over some especially strong competition.

In order to obtain this honor, both models had to have certain attributes to make them notably more impressive than similar vehicles. As you may expect, the winning vehicles have to come at a great value. This does not mean that they are the cheapest, but rather that they are the best vehicles for the price. And they have to be incredibly efficient and practical, with great convenient features.

But to be the very best the winners also have to be especially pleasing to drive, and to have a certain engaging qualities that really set them apart.

So, what is it about the CX-5 and the CX-9 that puts them above and beyond the rest of the vehicles in the same class?

Mazda CX-5 Named Best Compact SUV

Car and Driver made sure to note that the Mazda CX-5 is more exciting and fun to drive than other compact crossovers, without sacrificing any of the expected practicality. They were also very impressed by its style, also calling it the best-looking compact crossover.

The recently redesigned interior, along with the new leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob certainly helped the 2018 CX-5 win that reputation.

Both the exterior and the interior are so stylish, and use such fine materials, that the Mazda crossover appears much more expensive than it actually is. The Touring trim level also comes with 19-inch wheels for an extra stylish touch.

The seats are also incredibly comfortable, and the Touring and Grand Touring trim levels come with heated front seats. As part of the 2018 updates, the Grand Touring also has memory settings for the driver’s seat and six power adjustments for the passenger seat.

In addition to the redesigned interior, there were a number of improvements that came with both the 2017 and 2018 editions that helped the CX-5 win best in class. These include a lower center of gravity, which improves the grip of the tires and the handling, as well as a wider track.

The four-cylinder engine now comes with cylinder deactivation, which is a technology that will shut down two of the four cylinders during cruising.

This is a beneficial update because it improves the fuel economy. The CX-5 is the first four-cylinder car in North America to offer this technology.

The 2018 model is also safer than ever because the CX-5 now comes with standard blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert. This kind of safety technology notifies the driver to potential hazards, which allows you to feel more confident and in control. Additional safety options include adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.

Mazda CX-9 Named Best Midsize SUV

Midsize SUVs are a top choice for family cars, but as the Mazda CX-9 shows, that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Like the CX-5, this Mazda crossover is quite elegant and expensive-looking, which makes it a more attractive buy than similar SUVs.

The 2018 CX-9 was totally redesigned and as a result is now more aesthetically appealing than ever. Stylish touches include the gorgeous Nappa leather seats and a large chrome grille, as well as the option of 20-inch wheels.

But despite looking like a luxury vehicle, the Mazda crossover is actually one of the most affordable options, so it provides great value, especially compared to similar vehicles like the Honda Pilot Elite and the Ford Explorer Platinum.

The CX-9 has great visibility and is one of the lightest vehicles in its class. It weighs between 4200 and 4400 pounds, which is impressive for its size. The fact that it’s a lighter vehicle also gives it better fuel economy than other three-row crossovers. And it has one of the lowest centers of gravity.

An extra bonus is Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control software, also known as the GVC, which improves steering feel and traction. Responsive, electrically-assisted steering and good breaking are very beneficial whenever drivers have to encounter roads with a lot of twists and turns.

The navigation and audio controls are easy to use, and come with a convenient LCD touchscreen, which is seven inches in the Sport trim level and eight inches in the other trim levels. These features make the CX-9 a smooth, comfortable drive.

For safety, the driver assistance systems Mazda includes are blind-spot monitoring, radar-based cruise control, and lane-departure warning and correction. Touring and Signature models also have radar-based active cruise control.

Both the CX-5 and the CX-9 come with a three year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. These warranties are standard. However, if you purchase either of the Mazda crossovers at the Royal Moore Subaru dealership in Hillsboro, you also have the option of the lifetime powertrain warranty. As the name implies, this is a warranty that will be good for however long you own the vehicle. Royal Moore Mazda will include a lifetime powertrain warranty with every new Mazda sold at no extra charge. Find more information on the lifetime powertrain warranty today. 

When looking at both the 2018 CX-5 and the CX-9, it becomes clear that Mazda is one of the brands that really puts a lot of thought into how the driver feels. That isn’t something you can necessarily count on with a lot of other brands.

Mazda vehicles are some of the most fun to drive. Meanwhile, a lot of other SUVs are willing to settle for just being practical.

For both these Mazda crossovers, Car and Driver is extremely impressed by their style, which is a major reason why they both stand out. It’s a nice treat to own a vehicle that both looks and feels luxurious.

Just because you need a larger, more family-friendly car, doesn’t mean you can’t have a little excitement. Overall, the CX-5 and CX-9 will provide you with a car that you actually look forward to driving every day.

Filed Under: Auto Tagged With: auto, car, Mazda, vehicle

February 24, 2018 by Arlene

Motorcycle Road Trip Tips

Going on a motorcycle road trip sounds like an amazing and exciting adventure, but without proper preparation and organisation, it can turn into a true disaster. It’s not only about enjoying the scenery and having a blast with your companions, it’s also about coming home safe and sound.

If you’re sprucing up your bike and packing your bags to get going, here are some insider tips and tricks on how to have the best road trip ever.

Be aware of mileage

The first step towards a successful road trip is to be realistic regarding how much distance you can cover in one day. In beautiful, scenic areas you’ll be able to do about 150 miles, but on back roads, you simply can’t expect to achieve freeway mileage.

Moreover, in theory, six or seven hours may not sound so terrible, but for beginners, it will feel like a never-ending story! So if you’re not used to riding longer than a couple of hours, don’t rush into it.  Consider taking a few practice rides just to get accustomed to being on the bike longer. You can’t compare yourself to experienced riders, but the more prepared you are, the better you will feel when you actually set off.

Check your bike regularly

It goes without saying that your motorcycle needs to be in the best condition possible to avoid potential road disasters. Surely, there are no absolute guarantees that there will be zero problems, but you can make sure you cover all you can before you go.

Once on the road, make it a habit to check your bike regularly. It’s the simple things like checking the air pressure, oil, fasteners and similar. It won’t take much of your time, but it can save you a lot of trouble later down the road.

Pack on quality clothes

There’s an old joke among bikers that, at some point of the trip, you’ll end up cold, hot and wet. Weather is unreliable and even on a perfect day, 150 miles down the road, you may enter a true rainstorm. While it’s amazing to ride between the extremes, you need to be physically and mentally ready to be uncomfortable on the open road.

What you need to pack is well-ventilated, waterproof equipment such as high-quality Alpinestars boots, jackets and pants, to get you through all kinds of weather. Good quality clothes and footwear will keep you protected, no matter your size or age.

Plan resting

It’s an absolute necessity to find time to take in enough fluids, eat properly, rest and stretch your legs. Hours on end on the bike will not only wear you down physically, but it will also diminish your concentration and that is the last thing you need while riding at 80 miles per hour. It’s imperative you stay wide awake, alert and focused on the road and traffic. Reckless and irresponsible riding endangers everyone, so road safety is one of your top priorities.

Accessorize

There are several accessories you can pack for the ride that will make it much easier and more comfortable. First of all, most beginner riders aren’t aware of just how noisy it is on the highway, so wearing earplugs is something that will make it more bearable and prevent potential hearing loss in the long run.

If you’re going to be doing long distances regularly, having some technology on your side would probably make those rides even better. For instance, a helmet equipped with Bluetooth can be linked to your phone so you can listen to music and take phone calls, as well as communicate with other riders and follow GPS directions.

Meals are important

There’s no point in going on a road trip and enjoying the scenery without equally enjoying a bite of great food along the way. A cup of coffee and a hot meal will make any rider feel at home, relaxed and rested. However, roads are nasty and dirty and by the time you hit your destinations at the end of the day, all that dirt will end up on you as well. So, if you’re planning to stop and grab a nice dinner, think twice before you enter a place looking wild and filthy.

You can either pick a place that is less polished and fancy, and popular with local bike riders, or make time to have a shower before you eat. The latter comes in highly recommendable, as that first shower you take after a 10-hour ride will be a truly heavenly experience.

By following tips outlined here, every motorcycle road trip you take will be an unforgettable adventure!

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: auto, motorcycle, road trips, roar trip tips, vehicle

January 23, 2018 by Arlene

Five Tips for Buying a Used Mercedes Benz

If you’ve been thinking about buying a Mercedes Benz, getting a used one is an option you should consider. This is a great way to get one of the best cars in the world at a much cheaper price.

However, if you’re looking for a used Mercedes Benz for sale, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Today, we’re going to take a look at what those things are.

Here are five tips for buying a used Mercedes Benz.

Decide Which Model You Want: Mercedes Benz has a number of models to choose from, some of which date back to the 1920’s. To this day, the company puts out a few new lines every year. When making your decision, age is one thing you need to think about. There are obvious advantages to getting a newer vehicle, but some people enjoy the vintage look. You should also consider your needs. Will you be driving by yourself, or do you have a family to take care of?

Decide How Much You’ll Spend: Of course, your budget is going to be an important factor when making your decision. After you’ve decided on a model, you need to think about how much you can afford. Next, you need to compare prices. The best thing to do is find the average price for the model you’re looking for. From there, you will have a better idea of what to look for and how much you should spend on it.

Get a Car History Report: This is very important, especially if you’ll be buying online. A car history report will tell you everything you need to know about the car, including accident reports, salvage reports, sales history, and other useful information. You can usually get one of these from the DMV although they’re also available from online resources. This will help you determine if there’s anything you need to know about a car before you buy.

Explore Financing Options: Obviously, you’re likely to find better deals if you can pay with cash, but this isn’t always realistic. That said, it’s possible to get a loan as long as you have the proper information. Make sure you have a copy of your credit report handy, along with the car’s make, model, and car history report. You also want to go to a few different lenders, so you know you’re getting the best deal.

Ask a Lot of Questions: Finally, the best way to learn about a used car is to simply ask. You want to get as much information as you can from the person who’s selling. One thing in particular that you need to know is why they’re selling the car in the first place. Other questions you should ask are how often it was driven, how often the oil was changed, and where they bought it. The more you know about a car, the easier it will be to make a decision.

As long as you keep these tips in mind, you should have no problem finding the right Mercedes Benz for yourself.

for. Just remember to do your research, and good luck finding the car that’s right for you.

Filed Under: Auto Tagged With: auto, car, Mercedes Benz, used car, vehicle

Recent Posts

  • Which Part Of Corfu Is Best To Live In
  • Packing Essentials For Your European Travel This Summer
  • 3 Skills You Can Travel The World With (And Bring Back)
  • 5 Great Jobs You Can Do While Travelling the World and How to Get Them
  • 4 Reasons You Should Try A Skiing Holiday
RSS
Facebook
Twitter

Categories

About Seek Your Trip

Here at Seek Your Trip, we post twice-weekly articles that will get your travel juices flowing. The idea is to inspire you to get out there and explore far-flung places and unusual cultures.