Celica Forums General Discussion General Engine takes too long to warm up, any idea?

Hi, guys, I am new here. I`ve got a 7th gen celica and have engine warm up problem, needs your help.

My car takes too long(>15 minutes) to get to the operating temperature.
I drive it to work in the morning(outside temperature 5-8 °c), around 10km for 12minutes on 60/km road, the temperature gauge shows in third position, one more step to get to normal operating temperature. I replaced the thermostat but still same.

Also, belt squeaks when the car cold, noise gone when warm, not sure if it relate to this problem.
I was thinking water pump/ coolant temperature senor need to replace? Any idea?

Would anyone here able to help me please?
I hope you understand , sorry english not my first language.
Any suggestion would mean a lot to me, thank you

Mine takes about 10-15 minutes to warm up on cold days, and temps here in the winter average about 0-2C.
Obvious thing is to keep your heater off in the car, or if you want to use it, I'll set mine to recirculate on fan setting 2.

Our belts are known for squeaking in the cold, especially cheap belts. Get a GOODYEAR belt. I've never had a squeak since. Could be your belt tensioner too.

A picture of your temp-gauge might help. I thought mine never got to operating temperature either, but it turns out it was and I was reading it wrong. I was used to a traditional needle gauge, not the digital one the Celica uses.