Patent ID: 7484584

Claim:
A method of controlling the engine temperature of a snowmobile for use in multiple environments, the method including the steps of: providing a snowmobile including a longitudinally extending chassis including a front portion and a rear portion; an endless track coupled to the chassis and positioned generally proximate the rear portion of the longitudinally extending chassis within a tunnel; a pair of steerable skis coupled to the chassis and positioned generally proximate the front portion of the longitudinally extending chassis; a straddle seat supported by the chassis and positioned generally proximate the rear portion of the longitudinally extending chassis and above the endless track; and a liquid cooled engine coupled to the endless track to power the endless track, the liquid cooled engine supported by the chassis and positioned in the forward portion of the snowmobile; providing an extruded heat exchanger in a tunnel of the snowmobile; providing a heat exchanger covered by a body member of the snowmobile, the heat exchanger being forward of at least a portion of the liquid cooled engine; and controlling an amount of airflow to the heat exchanger based on a total size of the air inlets in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and the environment, the amount of airflow being less for a first environment wherein the snowmobile is being used in a loosely packed snow than a second environment wherein the snowmobile is being used in a tightly packed snow.