I searched around and didn't find any conclusive answers.

The scoop goes down and splits, one directs air to where the airbox used to be, and probably gives a little help to the cone filter (inconclusive evidence, I know).

But, the other part goes under the battery to the air conditioning system ???

I ask this because I degreased my engine the other day and I think I may have either sprayed some close to that area or something, because you can smell the degreaser when you turn the climate control fan on. It's slowly going away but I was considering removing the scoop anyway. If I do so, do I just leave that hole open or do I put some sort of filter on it? Thanks for the help guys.

The tube going underneath the battery has nothing to do with the cabin ventilation system. It is actually a tube to the resonator box, which is supposed to keep the intake system quiet i think.

The intake for your AC system is located near your windshield beneath the wipers.

That explains the smell then.

As you can see here

http://maxima.cardomain.com/member_p...=221773&page=2

The firewall of my car was hella dirty and when I used the degreaser a lot of it went to that area.

Thanks guys. Once again I hope this helps someone to search and find the answers they may have.