Maintenance Tips Archives - Greetings from the suburbs The algorithm made me do it. Tue, 07 Jul 2026 01:47:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://www.greetingsfromthesuburbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/cropped-gfts-icon-32x32.png Maintenance Tips Archives - Greetings from the suburbs 32 32 How to Update Daylight Saving Time Settings in a Toyota https://www.greetingsfromthesuburbs.com/maintenance-tips/how-to-update-daylight-saving-time-settings-in-a-toyota/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 01:47:02 +0000 https://www.greetingsfromthesuburbs.com/?p=451 The post How to Update Daylight Saving Time Settings in a Toyota appeared first on Greetings from the suburbs.

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How to Update Daylight Saving Time Settings in a Toyota

If the clock in your Toyota is suddenly off by an hour, the daylight saving time setting may need to be adjusted. Luckily, Toyota makes this pretty easy to change through the vehicle’s settings menu.

Here’s how to update the daylight saving time setting in a Toyota.

Step 1: Open the Toyota App in CarPlay

Start by opening the Toyota app from your CarPlay screen. This will take you into the vehicle’s settings menu.

Step 2: Go to General Settings

Once you are in the Toyota app, select General.

Step 3: Select Date and Time

From the General menu, choose Date and Time. This is where you can adjust your vehicle’s clock settings.

Step 4: Turn Daylight Saving Time On or Off

Inside the Date and Time settings, you should see an option for Daylight Saving Time. It is a simple on/off toggle.

When you turn the setting on, you should see the clock move forward by one hour. For example, the time may change from 8:50 to 9:50.

When Should You Use This Setting?

A quick reminder, daylight saving time begins in the spring and ends in the fall.

That means you typically turn the setting on in the spring and off in the fall.

Final Tip

If your Toyota’s clock is off by exactly one hour, this is one of the first settings worth checking. It only takes a few seconds, and it can save you from manually changing the time when the daylight saving time setting is the real issue.

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Don’t Call That Number: Facebook Marketplace Comment Scam https://www.greetingsfromthesuburbs.com/maintenance-tips/dont-call-that-number-facebook-marketplace-comment-scam/ Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:36:25 +0000 https://www.greetingsfromthesuburbs.com/?p=422 The post Don’t Call That Number: Facebook Marketplace Comment Scam appeared first on Greetings from the suburbs.

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Don’t Call That Number: A Common Facebook Marketplace Scam to Watch For

If you sell items on Facebook Marketplace, you’ve probably seen a comment that looks something like this:

“I’m interested. Call or text me at this number so we can arrange pickup.”

At first glance, it seems harmless. After all, some people still prefer talking on the phone. But this is also a tactic commonly used by scammers to get sellers off Facebook’s platform.

Why They Want You to Leave Messenger

Facebook Messenger provides some protection for buyers and sellers. The platform can identify suspicious accounts, detect known scam patterns, and give users warnings when something doesn’t seem right.

Once you move the conversation to text messages or a phone call, those protections are gone.

That doesn’t automatically mean the person is a scammer, but it’s a good reason to be cautious.

What to Do Instead

Whenever possible, keep all communication inside Facebook Messenger.

Not only does it create a record of your conversation, but it also makes it easier to report suspicious behavior if something doesn’t seem right.

If someone insists that you call or text instead, consider it a red flag and ask them to continue the conversation in Messenger.

A Few Other Warning Signs

While every situation is different, be cautious if a buyer:

  • Wants your phone number right away.
  • Asks you to share a verification code.
  • Sends a screenshot claiming they’ve already paid.
  • Says someone else will pick up the item after payment.
  • Pressures you to move quickly.

The Bottom Line

Most buyers on Facebook Marketplace are legitimate, but scammers are always looking for ways to get people off the platform and around Facebook’s built-in safeguards.

My advice is simple: keep conversations in Messenger whenever you can. It’s one of the easiest ways to protect yourself while buying or selling online.

Have you run into this type of comment on one of your Marketplace listings? Share your experience in the comments. It may help someone else avoid a scam.

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A Simple Way to Reduce Spiders in the Basement https://www.greetingsfromthesuburbs.com/maintenance-tips/a-simple-way-to-reduce-spiders-in-the-basement/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:14:07 +0000 https://www.greetingsfromthesuburbs.com/?p=398 The post A Simple Way to Reduce Spiders in the Basement appeared first on Greetings from the suburbs.

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When shopping for a house, a finished basement is often high on the wish list. It creates extra living space, gives kids a place to play, and helps keep toys from taking over the rest of the house.

But for many families, there’s one obstacle that can make a basement less appealing: bugs.

Spiders, crickets, and other crawling insects seem to find their way into even the cleanest basements. For kids, spotting a spider can be enough reason to avoid the space entirely.

One surprisingly simple solution is using sticky mouse traps.

Most people think of these traps as a way to catch mice, but they can also be effective for monitoring and catching spiders and other crawling insects. After placing a few around a basement, it quickly becomes clear just how much activity is happening along walls, behind storage bins, and near utility areas.

One of the biggest advantages is that sticky traps don’t require sprays, foggers, or other chemicals. They work around the clock and provide a simple way to see where insects are traveling. In many cases, they can also help identify problem areas that may need additional attention, such as gaps around doors, cracks in the foundation, or damp areas near a sump pump.

Placement is important. Traps tend to work best when placed along walls, behind furniture, near storage shelves, or in utility areas where insects naturally travel. It’s also a good idea to put them somewhere they won’t accidentally be stepped on.

For households with pets, extra caution is needed. Curious dogs and cats can sometimes get stuck to the adhesive surface. If pets have access to the basement, consider placing traps in closets, behind storage containers, or in other locations where they can’t easily be reached.

Another helpful tip is to replace the traps regularly. Over time, dust, dirt, and captured insects can reduce their effectiveness. Checking them every few weeks makes it easy to see whether they’re still doing their job.

Sticky traps won’t solve every pest problem, and they’re not a replacement for addressing larger issues such as moisture or structural entry points. However, they’re an inexpensive and chemical-free tool that can help reduce bug sightings and make a basement feel more comfortable for the entire family.

Sometimes the simplest solutions end up making the biggest difference.

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How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge (Better Than Toothpicks or Matchsticks) https://www.greetingsfromthesuburbs.com/home-improvement/how-to-fix-a-loose-door-hinge-better-than-toothpicks-or-matchsticks/ Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:07:12 +0000 https://www.greetingsfromthesuburbs.com/?p=226 The post How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge (Better Than Toothpicks or Matchsticks) appeared first on Greetings from the suburbs.

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If you’ve got a door that’s starting to sag or won’t close right, there’s a good chance the hinge screws are stripped out.

A lot of people recommend stuffing the holes with toothpicks—or even matchsticks—to give the screws something to grab onto. That can work short-term, but it’s not the most solid fix.

There’s a better option: wood golf tees.

Why Door Hinges Come Loose

Over time, the screws in your door hinge can wear out the wood inside the frame. Once that happens, the screws lose their grip and start to loosen, which leads to a sagging or misaligned door.

Why Golf Tees Work Better

Golf tees are a stronger and more effective filler compared to toothpicks or matchsticks.

  • They’re made of solid wood
  • They fill more of the hole
  • They create a tighter fit for the screw
  • They hold up better over time

Instead of packing a bunch of small pieces into the hole, you’re inserting one solid piece that gives the screw something real to bite into.

What You’ll Need

  • Wood golf tees
  • Wood glue
  • Hammer (optional)
  • Screwdriver or drill

Step-by-Step Fix

  1. Remove the loose screw from the hinge
  2. Add a small amount of wood glue into the stripped hole
  3. Insert a golf tee into the hole (tap it in if needed)
  4. Let the glue dry
  5. Snap or cut off the excess tee so it’s flush
  6. Reinstall the screw

That’s it. The screw should now grab tightly and hold the hinge in place.

It’s a simple upgrade that takes just a few extra minutes and saves you from dealing with the same loose hinge again later.

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Electric Scooter Suddenly Slow? Check Your Tire Pressure First https://www.greetingsfromthesuburbs.com/maintenance-tips/electric-scooter-suddenly-slow-check-your-tire-pressure-first/ Sat, 28 Mar 2026 01:53:24 +0000 https://www.greetingsfromthesuburbs.com/?p=195 The post Electric Scooter Suddenly Slow? Check Your Tire Pressure First appeared first on Greetings from the suburbs.

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If your electric scooter starts feeling slower than usual, your first instinct might be that something is wrong with the battery or motor.

In most cases, it’s not that complicated.

One of the most common, and overlooked reasons for a drop in speed is low tire pressure.

Why Low Tire Pressure Slows You Down

Electric scooters rely on efficiency. When your tires are underinflated, more of the tire surface drags against the ground. That creates resistance, which forces the motor to work harder just to maintain speed.

The result?

  • Slower top speed
  • Reduced battery efficiency
  • A ride that just feels off
  • It’s the same concept as riding a bike with soft tires, you’ll feel the drag immediately.

How to Check Your Tire Pressure

This part is simple and takes less than a minute.

Look directly on the sidewall of your tire. You’ll usually see a recommended PSI (pounds per square inch). In my case, the tire showed:

Max Pressure: 35 PSI

That’s your target.

If your tires are below that number, you’re leaving performance on the table.

The Fix: Inflate Your Tires

Using a standard bike pump or electric inflator, fill your tires up to the recommended PSI listed on the tire.

That’s it.

No tools. No repairs. No parts to replace.

In my example, bringing the tires back up to 35 PSI immediately restored the scooter’s top speed.

Don’t Overthink It

It’s easy to assume something bigger is wrong, battery degradation, motor issues, or electronics.

But more often than not, it comes down to basic maintenance.

Checking your tire pressure is one of those simple habits that makes a noticeable difference every time you ride.

Final Takeaway

Before you spend money or go down a troubleshooting rabbit hole, start with the basics:

  • Check your tire pressure
  • Inflate to the recommended PSI
  • Test your speed again

It’s a quick win, and in many cases, it’s all you need.

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