Q: I own a 1999 Cadillac Seville with the Northstar engine. Sometimes when it’s cold, the engine idle will stay very high and it won’t go down. This will go on for about half the day and then it will be okay for a while. Do you have any ideas as to what might be causing this? -- E.M., Channahon

A: E.M., the idle air control motor could be sticking and need replacement. The idle air control motor controls the engine idle speed by regulating airflow into the engine whenever your foot is off the accelerator pedal. The idle air control motor and throttle body housing can get contaminated with sludge and carbon over time. That sludge can get on the idle air control motor’s shaft causing it to stick. You could try having the throttle body cleaned, but it’s likely you’ll still need to replace the idle air control motor.

Q: I read your column regarding the motorist who had trouble starting his Ford Escape. I have a 2003 Escape and my trouble was that it would start and die and didn’t want to stay running. My son cleaned my Escape’s throttle body and it’s been running fine ever since. I just wanted to pass this along. -- R.P., Glenwood

A: R.P., thanks.

Q: I own a 1999 Olds Aurora. The problem I’m having is that I can hear some kind of motor running in the passenger seat whenever I accelerate. I hope you can help me. -- J.B., Tinley Park

A: J.B., I can’t imagine one of the passenger seat motors is cycling, but to eliminate that as a possibility, remove the 25-amp circuit breaker from the right-hand rear fuse block assembly. If the noise is still heard while driving with the power seat circuit breaker removed, maybe it’s the fuel pump that you’re hearing. Take your Aurora in for service and have a technician check it out.

Q: I have a question about the Honda Civic. My insurance provider told me that my insurance would go up $360 per year if I buy one. I was wondering how the Civic did in crash tests. My insurance agent told me my better choice would be a Toyota Camry. Which one do you think would be better? -- R.A., South Holland

A: R.A., insurance always goes up when purchasing a new vehicle. It’s important to compare apples to apples when getting insurance quotes, though. The Honda Civic is a smaller car than the Toyota Camry. The Honda equivalent to the Camry is the Accord. The Toyota equivalent to the Civic is the Corolla. To answer your question, the Camry did score a bit higher than the Civic in crash tests. If you want a bigger car, consider the Camry or Accord. If you’d prefer a smaller car, you won’t go wrong with either the Civic or Corolla.

Q: I’m interested in the 2009 Dodge Journey crossover that will be coming out soon. Has Dodge announced pricing yet? -- P.W., Oak Park

A: P.W., yes they have. The base front-wheel drive Journey SE, powered by a 2.4-liter (173 hp) 4-cylinder engine will be priced at $19,985.

AutoAdviser: Ira Siegel is an Automotive Instructor and ASE Certified Master Auto Technician. If you have auto-related questions for Ira Siegel you can call and leave your questions at the Auto Adviser Hotline at 708-633-6839 or e-mail a question to Autoadvisr@aol.com.