# 2019 Toyota Highlander - what's that shade on the rear?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-highlander-whats-that-shade-on-the-rear/136376>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** highlander, toyota\
**Created:** [March 12, 2019, 8:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-highlander-whats-that-shade-on-the-rear/136376 "2019-03-12T20:40:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ErnieParker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@ErnieParker](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ErnieParker)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2019, 8:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-highlander-whats-that-shade-on-the-rear/136376/1 "2019-03-12T20:40:16Z")

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what is the rear window overhanging ‘shade/shelf’ thing on suv’s called and what is it for?

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 1:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-highlander-whats-that-shade-on-the-rear/136376/2 "2019-03-13T13:25:32Z")

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Are you referring to the structure that contains the center-mounted brake light?  
If so, it is a “spoiler” that is there to manage airflow over the rear of the vehicle.  
It can also help–to a very small extent–to keep the rear window clean.

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**Author:** ![LadyDi17](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b19c9b/32.png) [@LadyDi17](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LadyDi17)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 3:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-highlander-whats-that-shade-on-the-rear/136376/3 "2020-07-30T15:50:47Z")

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If you are talking about the movable cargo cover – it’s to cover anything in the back of the car that you don’t want exposed.  
There is no rear window shade.