I just got my Xb a few days ago and since the first night, my thermostat light comes on and stays on for quite a while. It's the blue light, not the red one.
Is this common? does it just mean that it's not hot enough yet?

i did a search for this with no results.

yeah its common. you go to sfa?

Yes it's very common. Every time you start your engine cold, the blue light will stay on till your engine is in it's optimal temperature operation range.

yes i do go to sfa!

so what happens when the car is at it optimal temp? does it run better or anything. that light is annoying.

Yes of course your car would operate better if it is at OPTIMAL temp isn't that the point? when I test drove 3 different scion that light was on each time I thought it meant low fluid so I told the salesman to make sure they check the fluid level before I pick up my car. It wasn't until I READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL that I found out what the light was . the salesman had no clue.

hint. read the owner's manual

yeah i'll get right on that

oh, i thought that was my fluid also, is it bad to drive with that light on? usually when i start my cold box i let it warm up for a few mins then when i do drive it i keep the rpm's really low until it warms up...

Despite what some people will say, It's perfectly fine to drive the car while the light is on!

Nothing in the owners manual states that we have to let it idle till the light goes away. It's a waste of time and gas.

The general consensus is to stay below 3k rpm and avoid heavy loads when the light is on. After two or three blocks, the light will go away and you can do your normal driving routine.

I think it's more of a conveinience thing than annoying. I typically use the blue light to let me know when I can bump the interior heat up to get warm, otherwise it's just blasting cold air...

Despite what some people will say, It's perfectly fine to drive the car while the light is on!
Nothing in the owners manual states that we have to let it idle till the light goes away. It's a waste of time and gas.
The general consensus is to stay below 3k rpm and avoid heavy loads when the light is on. After two or three blocks, the light will go away and you can do your normal driving routine.

also when it is still cold, auto tranny wont shift up to the final gear.