Fueling A Truck (Big Rig)
(This is an example process of fueling a truck. Your fueling process could be different. Do not rely on this example alone. Get expert help if you need it.)
Your average car holds somewhere around 12-15 gallons of gas. An average truck has two 125-gallon tanks, so we can haul up to 250 gallons of diesel fuel.
Which leads to the next major difference – the average car uses gasoline. The big trucks use diesel. Most people know this – what’s tough is learning to call the foot pedal an “accelerator” or “fuel pedal” instead of “gas pedal.” Because if you call it a “gas pedal,” someone might start telling you to fill your blinker fluid. And no, there’s no such thing as blinker fluid. And no, I haven’t fallen for that one.
Another difference is a very simple thing – when pulling into the fuel pumps to fill a semi, it’s important to know you’re pulling into the correct “truck-friendly” fuel pumps. First of all, they have diesel fuel. Second, there’s usually two pumps for each truck (I’ll get to that below). Third, most truck fuel pumps now have DEF, which I’ll also get to below. And fourth, the canopy clearance is tall enough for a big rig. Ttrucks that try to pull into a regular car fueling station will have a problem. Yes, they may have diesel, but you just might end up wedged there waiting for a wrecker to rescue you.
The process:
1. Wait for an open pump.
2. Pull up and line up.
3. Enter your information.
4. Fuel diesel tanks, DEF, and reefer.
5. Pull forward and park.
6. Go inside for receipt and leave the fueling area.
1. Wait for an open pump.
Sometimes there is an open pump and you don’t have to wait, but sometimes all the pumps are full and you do. In this case, you generally pick a truck to wait behind because space is limited and you don’t want to take up more room than necessary so other trucks can get through and/or wait in line, too. When you’re choosing a truck to wait behind, there can be a little strategy to put to use. You first look for a truck that doesn’t have one pulled up in front of it (standard practice after fueling is to pull up one truck length and park to open the pump for the next driver).
This way, when the truck you’re waiting for is done, it’s clear for him to pull up, leaving the pump open for you. If there’s a truck in front of him, and the driver is inside getting a meal or something, you could be waiting a while. Another thing to look for is how far along the driver is in the fueling process – sometimes you can tell if they’ve just started fueling or are nearly done. Get behind the guy that’s nearly done.
And the last thing you can look for is if the truck has a reefer (refrigerated trailer). The reefer fuel tank is on the trailer, so when drivers have to fuel the reefer tank, they pull up a short ways so the pump can reach the reefer tank. This tank doesn’t need to be filled every single time the truck does, so the driver may not even fill their reefer tank, but it’s just one more thing to look for if you’re hoping to get in and out quick.
2. Pull up and line up.
Once your fuel station is open, you pull up slowly and get your truck lined up so the pump hoses will reach the diesel tanks. As you’re pulling forward, it’s important to watch the trailer, too. Sometimes you go in a little crooked and want to be sure “ol’ Leroy,” the trailer, doesn’t clip another truck or the giant, yellow, cement poles between fuel pumps.
3. Enter your information.
Once at the pump, you first insert your fuel card. As a company driver, you are given a fuel card to use at specific truck stops. If you use Pilot and Flying J truck stops to fuel, insert your fuel card, then insert your Pilot Rewards card. This is nice because it rewards you with free showers and points that can be used like cash in the store.
Next the pump prompts you for the following information: Truck Number, Odometer Reading, Trailer Number, and Employee Number. It also asks if you need Tractor Fuel, Reefer Fuel, or Both. A seperate screen asks if you need to fill DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid)*. After a couple more questions to see if you need a cash advance or will be purchasing any products in-store, like bottled DEF, it prompts you to remove the nozzle and begin fueling.
*DEF, or Deisel Exhaust Fluid
DEF is kind of interesting. DEF is a solution of urea and deionized water. Yes, urea. Like pee. So don’t spill it on yourself! Anyway, the truck has a totally separate tank that holds DEF. This solution’s purpose is to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide emissions into the air from the truck’s exhaust system. So what happens, in a nutshell, is the DEF is thrown into the exhaust system and broken down into an ammonia potion that converts everything to simple water and nitrogen, which is harmless – and that is what is released through the exhaust.
So it’s emissions stuff and becoming standard on all trucks. A few fun facts about DEF: The nozzle on a DEF pump is 22mm wide compared to the 44mm wide diesel pumps so that drivers don’t accidentally put diesel fuel into the DEF tank. DEF freezes pretty easily, so the pumps are insulated with a sort of “jacket,” and the tanks are built to reduce the possibility of freezing when in the truck. DEF weighs 9 pounds/gallon, while diesel fuel weighs in around 7 pounds/gallon. (We have had to use this information when dealing with gross weight of our vehicle – and have had to refrain from filling up all the way to stay within legal weight limits.)
And last, if the truck runs out of DEF completely? The truck’s power is greatly reduced until the DEF tank can be refilled. I’ve read that the truck will power down and run at only 5 mph until the tank is filled. That would account for seeing a truck running real slow on a highway possibly. Its a good idea to carry a jug of DEF in your storage in case you need it.
4. Fuel diesel tanks, DEF, and reefer.
Once lined up, you fill the tanks. Trucks usually have two diesel tanks. One on each side of the truck (ours has two 125-gallon tanks), so the diesel pumps at truck stops have two hoses/nozzles at each spot. The one on the driver’s side is the main pump, and the one of the passenger’s side is called the “satellite” pump. You first start the main pump on the driver’s side tank, then go over to the passenger’s side tank and get the satellite going. Try washing your windows while waiting for the tanks to fill. 200 gallons can take a while!
Once the diesel tanks are full, the pump prompts you to fill DEF if you’ve selected to fill it. If you have lined up correctly, you won't have to move the truck to fill DEF.
If you’ve selected to fill the reefer tank, that will be the last prompt. Here you’d pull forward until the reefer tank on the trailer is lined up with the pump’s hose/nozzle, then get back out, power down the reefer unit and fill up the tank. Don’t forget to restart the reefer when you’re done!
To spot a reefer unit out on the road, look for a cylindrical tank hanging below the trailer just behind the landing gear, or the actual refrigerating unit attached to the front of the trailer (behind the tractor). At night, you’ll see a small green light on the trailer’s nose (front) on the driver’s side. Green means the reefer is running properly. If it turns yellow, service is needed asap. If you’re hauling something like raw meat or frozen foods, you want to be sure it stays at the temperature it’s supposed to!
5. Pull forward and park.
Once all the fueling is completed, you pull forward leaving enough room for someone to pull into the pump behind you. You can also go and park in the lot and when you are done fueling you can run in grab your receipt etc. This is what this space is for.
Note – It’s a unwritten rule in the trucking world to use the fuel line for anything other than fueling purposes. Truckers have been known to pull through and use it as parking spot for their breaks instead of using the lot.
6. Go inside for receipt and leave the fueling area.
Don’t waste your time. After fueling you go inside, be quick about restroom breaks and coffee fill-ups, head to the driver kiosk, swipe your rewards card, select “print receipt,” and move on so other truckers can continue to filter through the pumps without any major hold-ups. If you aregoing to use a shower or need a longer break, go straight past the fuel parking and just back into a spot in the lot and go in from there.
So that’s the process of “feeding the beast.” There are two types of diesel – #1 and #2. When it gets freezing-cold outside, diesel fuel can gel up. #1 gels at a lower temperature than #2, so there’s additives, blends and even more that goes into it. The learning process is never over in this industry! Now if you ever need to fuel up a big rig, you’ll know the routine!
Keep ‘er rollin’ rubber-side down!
A truck stop, also known as a transport cafe in the United Kingdom and as a travel center by major chains in the United States, is a commercial facility which provides refuelling, rest parking, cat scales and often ready made food and other services to motorists and truck drivers. Truck stops are usually located on or near a busy road.
The diesel fuel islands at many truck stops can get very crowded. Most trucking companies have accounts with one or two truck stop chains and, after negotiating a specific price for diesel, require their drivers to fuel exclusively at supported locations. Truck stops near a large city, or on the east or west coasts, suffer from the most congestion at their fuel islands.
Most long-haul tractors have sleeping berths, and many truck drivers keep their diesel engines running for heating or cooling for the sake of comfort. Because idling diesel engines make considerable noise (and are a source of pollution) they are often banned from such use near residential areas. Truck stops (along with public rest stops are the main places where truck drivers may rest peacefully, as required by regulations.