I bought a 2009 Prius with 230,000 Miles.

I just be rolling every where in this 2009 lol. Runs like a clock with no mechanical issues what so ever. Just shows how reliable these 09s are.

 

Lot's of coasting down hill. Always good for mpg. Just don't go back up.

 

For the headlight clouding, use "wipe new" which is like armor all X 1000 on all plastics and vinyls on your car. Each box comes with a headlight kit where you wet the headlight, use the extremely fine grit sandpaper until the cloudy residue disappears, and then take 1 rag with a spray of wipe new on it, and use one swiping motion over it. It works like magic, just don't swipe over the same area twice as it creates a transparent barrier but gets murky and dries that way if over swiping or it rains within 24 hours. If there is condensation on the inside of the light unit itself, a good way to fix it is to use a very small drill bit and drill a hole through the bottom of the light fixture and the trapped air can escape and dry the inside of the headlight assembly.

 

Cheapest I am seeing on Amazon are just under $120 delivered.

 

If you can't connect a 120v trickle charger (aka battery tender) to the car, look into solar powered 12v chargers. They are widely used in the boating and RV worlds.

120v battery tenders are sold just about anywhere car accessories are sold (walmart, auto parts stores, etc). I use them on motorcycles 365.

 

You could also charge up before you leave, then disconnect negative battery cable. Or completely remove battery, if you like. It's sitting connected, with low level but constant drain, that can kill it. Disconnected it'll still drop, but a lot slower.

 

Just make real sure they know how to turn it off correctly. I know that sounds basic but more than once have I read here of some good intentioned newbie who either left it on running for long periods or in acc mode and running down the 12v.

 

Not sure why, when you have a battery tender, you are doing this. Surely it would be much easier to connect up the tender and then forget about it. You will have a fully charged battery when you get back. Cannot say the same will be the case with the car being started once a week (assuming your neighbor is very reliable), and then for how long will it be running?

Just can't see that as a solution when you have the perfect tool for the job.

 

Or, fully-charge the 12V battery, then disconnect it at the dedicated jumpstart point in the main relay/fuse box next to the inverter. It is better to disconnect the battery this way, vs. disconnecting a battery cable in the hatch, since the hatch is not easy to open without electrical power available. You have to crawl in the back and find the mechanical release lever to open the hatch.

If the battery is disconnected, then no one has to worry about starting the car periodically etc. There's no point in doing that weekly unless your neighbor is able to leave the Prius READY for a few hours each time. Starting the car for 10 minutes at a time is not going to help.

 

Battery tender or disconnecting is better than having someone start it unless you're going to be gone for months at a time and need to get the top end re-lubricated.

 

Hey, that's my summer cabin in the background!

 

any of the aero panels hanging down? tires pressured up?