pnut
Well-Known Member
This.It has multi function use but every vehicle has vents or someway of relieving the air pressure in the cab to offset the additional air pressure buildup when closing a door for example or having an exhaust for the surplus air when putting your heater fan on or also reducing the wind noise of having only one open window while driving sometimes creating a pressure build-up inside and annoying sound we all have experienced at some point in older vehicles. I think this is also why the vents (called cab relief vents/exhaust vents) are usually a rubber membrane that is made to open up on positive pressure but closure on Negative pressure to ensure cold air doesn't "get in" which it probably does a bit anyways.
https://jalopnik.com/heres-what-those-rubber-flaps-are-hidden-behind-your-re-1828016409
I have been an interior product engineer for 25 years working as a supplier to the OEM's. Maybe 15 years ago I worked on a project (A Jeep product ironically) where I had to dive into this with Jeep. What is said above is correct. Every car has one, it's just on most cars it is hidden behind a trunk or cargo trim panel at the floor. The more twisty the path the better to prevent noise intrusion into the cabin.
On older Jeeps you were basically driving a tent so they weren't as important, but in a new Wrangler with a hard top and hard doors, the seal is good, and these are necessary. Probably less necessary even in a 2021 with a soft top, but since the tailgate is designed for all Wranglers.....
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