What’s the difference between the Service Engine light and the Check Engine light? The Service Engine light informs us of upcoming expected maintenance, while the check engine light vs service engine soon informs you of an unexpected problem occurring in your engine or exhaust system. You can’t just ignore either one—they both indicate problems that could lead to more expensive damage to your vehicle if left unaddressed. Knowing the difference between the Service Engine light and the Check Engine light can help you determine which one you should focus on fixing first.

Introduction

You may have noticed that there are two different types of lights on your dashboard that look similar but actually mean completely different things. One is called a Service Engine Soon or SES light and the other is called a Check Engine or CEL light. This blog post will break down what these lights are, how they differ, and when you should be concerned about them. 

What do these lights mean? The service engine light  indicates that your car may need some kind of scheduled maintenance in the near future (i.e., in a few days). This could be something like an oil change or tire rotation, but it can also indicate an issue with emissions systems, engine misfires, air conditioning leaks, etc.

What is the Service Engine Light?

The Service Engine Soon light is a warning light that should appear on your dashboard when your car is approaching an upcoming maintenance phase. For example, the service engine light may come on when you're near 5,000 miles or 10 months since your last oil change. This means that if you don't get this maintenance done, your car could be at risk for more serious problems and end up costing you more money in the long run. Luckily, there are plenty of things that can be done to delay or altogether prevent the service engine light from coming on, including learning how to reset it before it appears on your dashboard and getting an auto-transport company to take care of all of the details for you!

What is the Check Engine Light?

This light is usually red and it signifies an issue with your car that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Common causes of a check engine light include low fuel, faulty oxygen sensor, or clogged catalytic converter. In most cases, this light will illuminate on its own if something is wrong but you can also take steps to manually check the issue yourself by looking at your gas gauge and examining your exhaust for any unusual smells or smoke coming from it. 

What does Service Engine Soon Mean? (seven sentences)]

This phrase means that you are coming up on some type of scheduled maintenance for your vehicle such as an oil change or tire rotation and there is nothing wrong with it that requires immediate attention like a Check Engine Light would signify.

When Should I Worry About These Lights?

If your Service Engine Soon light comes on, you'll know that it is time for your next scheduled service appointment because this light is a reminder that your car will need to be serviced within the next 1,000 miles or so. If your Check Engine light comes on, it usually means that there is an issue with one of the car's systems which may be preventing it from running as efficiently as possible. This could be something minor and fixable at home or something major that requires a professional mechanic to address and fix. Either way, if you notice either of these lights come on in your vehicle, you should make an appointment with a trusted mechanic right away so they can diagnose and repair whatever might need attention before too much damage occurs.

Conclusion

Knowing the difference between your Service Engine Soon light and Check Engine light can save you a lot of money and time down the road if you know what to look for. Keep in mind that while both lights will tell you to head to your mechanic, they differ when it comes to what they're actually warning you about. A Check Engine light means there is an issue occurring that needs immediate attention, whereas a Service engine light only informs you of upcoming maintenance on your car. You will get the solution of “is service engine soon the same as check engine” in detail at autovehicleparts.