Purpose of vents on side of car

[shhh i know]

So I'm trying to figure out what the purpose of the vents are on the side of our cars. I'm asking about the ones right past the driver and passenger doors. I tried to find out by searching the forums but came up with nothing. I had my removed some time ago and welded and smoothed over and now I am just thinking what was there purpose in the first place.

 

[Greedy Pimp]

I am pretty shure they are for when you shut your door, it lets the pressure out easily. There should be a ruber piece that covers the hole in the body and that's behind the gills, when u slam the door the pressure pushes the rubber flapper open and then it goes back and seals the hole.

 

[shhh i know]

That's what I was thinking (or hoping should I say), just some kind of air relief or something. I've never had any problems since covering them over but then I got to thinking I hope that they don't lead to any kind of drain hole because I don't want any rust bubbles popping up or a door full of water. But I'm pretty sure the sunroof drains to the front and rear, correct?

 

[clipto]

It's for when vtec I mean mivec kicks in.

 

[91-GS]

From looking at several manuals and the car itself it appears that those are vents to help pull air out of the car (to promote better air circulation) as well as letting pressure out when hatch or doors are closed.

Here is the diagram from 1G Tech Manual:

 

[shhh i know]

Sweet, thanks for the pic. Now I don't have to worry about water or anything building up back there.

 

[undefined0000]

Wow, just thought they were for a meaner look or something.

 

[Mokkan]

My other car is a '07 Z06 which has a large hatch like dsm's, but it does not have a vent and the hatch is pretty difficult to close. The pressure builds up and you really have to shove the hatch to get it to seal. GM even added a motor to pull the hatch closed in recent years. One of the selling points of the new C7 is a spring loaded flap that allows pressure to vent when the hatch is closed.

 

[Dude McGee]

Wow I had no idea those were functional in any way. I thought they were like the plastic filled brake vents or hood scoops on the early 2000s mustangs, just there for style points.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

With all the windows up and the doors closed, turn the blower for heat/ac, or whatever on high and go outside and feel around those vents. You will feel air coming out and if you look inside the vent closely you will see the rubber (check valve) things have opened up.