"Service Engine Soon". Is this the same thing as a Check Engine light?

okay Service Engine Soon is a reminder to tend to the maintenance items....you can verify this by the schedule in your owner's manual...if you've got a CEL is because you've over-filled the tank...not stopped at the first click or the O2 sensor is all worn away to a stub~ Eighteen dollar (from newegg) Scanner for OBD-II...you can READ and RESET the trouble codes with this~

this really depends on which buggy you're talkin' about Tom...I think....the 2006 MINI has both....the 2005 Prius has both~

Thank you for your responses. Specifically, this question was for the 1998 Buick Regal 4 Dr 25th Anniversary Sedan which I bought without the owners manual. Since I asked the question, the "change oil soon" light comes on for maybe 15 seconds upon start up. Is there a reset procedure for this? I assume it's based on mileage driven since the last reset. Or, is it actually somehow calculating the viscosity of the oil. I changed the oil about 2500 miles ago. Thanks again for your help!

The Service. Enigine light came on amd they told me that it going to be time to change the oil. That what goin!!!

How do I make a check engine on my Buick Regal las 2003