The importance of Adblue for fleet operators

Adblue is a diesel exhaust fluid that can remove harmful pollutants from exhaust gasses, and it is necessary for the majority of new diesel trucks and buses across the UK and Europe. In fact, any commercial vehicle weighing more than 7.5 tonnes, manufactured after October 2006 is equipped with SCR technology (Selective Catalytic Reduction). This requires the use of AdBlue for haulage vehicles, trucks and buses. If you operate a fleet, keeping on top of the individual Adblue levels of each vehicle is now a crucial part of fleet management. But it’s something that not every fleet is currently keeping up with.

Adblue breakdowns

Because of the way that Adblue is used, if the levels of Adblue become too low, the vehicle simply wont start. And this has meant that the AA’s recovery service has seen a rapid growth in breakdowns due to accidental misuse of, or lack of understanding about Adblue. In fact, the AA needed to tackle more than 23,000 breakdowns linked to Adblue in 2017! And this is almost twice the total of 2016. This has included breakdowns caused by the incorrect application of Adblue, or Adblue being poured into the diesel tank. As a result, its more important than ever that fleet operators keep on top of Adblue levels, and also educate drivers about the importance of Adblue.

The dangers of Adblue breakdowns

Carlos Montero, chief commercial officer at FleetEurope stated that:

“If the Adblue tank runs empty, the engine’s performance is reduced to limit its emissions. Once the vehicle stops, the driver will be unable to restart the vehicle until the tank is refilled, putting them and other road users at risk if they break down on a busy road or motorway.”

Keeping topped up

Keeping on top of the Adblue level in individual vehicles will be a different procedure for each company. While some fleets will be maintained by the fleet operator, for others, individual drivers will have control and responsibility for the Adblue level, being reimbursed in some cases through a fuel card system.

It is almost always more cost efficient for companies to buy Adblue in bulk, to be stored at the depot in a large tank, and to keep on top of the Adblue levels in house, as this can be a £100 procedure when carried out by an outside maintenance supplier!

Education for drivers

At the same time, drivers themselves need to understand Adblue, and its importance. Stuart Thomas, director of fleet and SME at the AA, believes that this is essential, because:

“if Adblue is poured directly into the fuel tank it can cause expensive damage to both the fuel pump and the injection system. If the mistake is spotted before the engine is started, the tank will require flushing out and refilling with diesel in the same way as if petrol had accidentally been put into the tank. But if the engine is started it could become an expensive write-off, with the associated inconvenience and cost of a replacement vehicle.”

Thankfully, most of the vehicles will warn drivers to top up the Adblue tank at least 1,000 miles before it is empty. This should be plenty of miles to refill safely. Drivers are generally warned though a dashboard light, or a text message, so it is difficult to ignore.

For Adblue delivered to your company, get in touch with Compass Fuel Oils today.

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Domestic orders & heating oil, please visit www.easyoil.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

Deliveries

  • What areas do you deliver to?

    We deliver to most regions in the UK. To check if we service your area, please use our delivery postcode checker or contact our support team 01772 619 461 

  • What is the minimum order quantity for delivery?

    The minimum order quantity varies depending on the fuel type. For most orders, it is 500 litres, but smaller deliveries may be available upon request for example barrels of 205l fuel.

  • How long does delivery take?

    Standard deliveries typically take 3–5 working days. We also offer express delivery options for urgent orders.

  • What should I do if my tank is overfilled or damaged during delivery?

    Please report any issues to our customer service team immediately. We will investigate and resolve the issue promptly.

  • Can I change or cancel my delivery?

    Yes, you can modify or cancel your delivery by contacting us at least 24 hours before the scheduled delivery time.

  • Do you charge a delivery fee?

    Standard delivery is included in the fuel price for most orders. Express deliveries or orders below the minimum quantity may incur additional fees.

  • What types of vehicles are used for delivery?

    We use a fleet of fuel tankers suitable for residential, commercial, and agricultural deliveries. For restricted access locations, we may send a smaller vehicle.

  • What if my delivery is delayed?

    While we strive to deliver on time, delays can occur due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. If your delivery is delayed, we will notify you as soon as possible.

  • What should I do to prepare for a delivery?

    Ensure your tank is easily accessible, remove any obstructions, and secure pets or gates. If your tank has a lock, please make sure it is unlocked.

  • How will I know when my delivery will arrive?

    You will receive a notification with an estimated delivery date once your order is confirmed. On the day of delivery, our driver may contact you directly.

  • Do I need to be present during the delivery?

    In most cases, you don’t need to be present as long as your tank is accessible and ready for filling.

  • What happens if I’m not available during the delivery?

    If you’re not available, our driver can deliver the fuel to your tank as long as it is accessible and safe to do so. If access is restricted, we will contact you to reschedule.

  • Can I schedule my delivery?

    Absolutely. You can choose a preferred delivery date during the order process. We’ll do our best to accommodate your request.

  • Do you offer same-day or next-day delivery?

    Yes, same-day and next-day delivery options are available in select areas. Additional charges may apply.

Payments

  • What currency are payments processed in?

    Payments are processed in GBP (British Pounds). If you are paying from outside the UK, your bank may apply conversion fees.

  • Is my payment information secure?

    Absolutely. We use industry-standard encryption and secure payment gateways to protect your payment details.

  • Can I request an extension on my payment due date?

    Yes, payment extensions may be available upon request. Please contact our billing team to discuss options.

  • Do you offer refunds?

    Refunds are processed in accordance with our refund policy. Please contact our support team for further assistance.

  • How can I update my payment details?

    You can update your payment details by contacting our customer service team. 

  • Can I split my payment across multiple methods?

    Unfortunately, we do not support splitting payments across multiple methods at this time.

  • What should I do if my payment is declined?

    If your payment is declined, double-check your payment details and try again. If the issue persists, contact your bank or our support team for assistance.

  • How do I receive my invoice or receipt?

    Invoices and receipts are sent to your registered email address or by letter.

  • Is there a surcharge for using a credit card?

    No, we do not charge additional fees for payments made using a credit card.

  • Do you offer credit terms for businesses?

    Yes, we provide credit terms for eligible business customers. Please contact our sales team to discuss account setup and terms.

  • Can I set up a direct debit or recurring payment?

    Yes, you can set up direct debit or recurring payments to ensure timely and hassle-free billing.

  • What payment methods do you accept?

    We accept a variety of payment methods, including credit/debit cards, direct bank transfers. For business customers, we also offer account-based billing.

  • I paid for my order by card, I received less fuel than I paid for due to the tank being full, what happens now?

    We have a couple of options available, we can refund your payment card, this takes 3-5 working days from the date we process your refund. Alternatively, we can leave the credit sat on your account and adjust this amount from the payment for your next order.