Stick measurement is a reliable, manual method for verifying fuel levels. The process is simple, cost-effective, and widely accessible, offering transparency, reliability, and cost savings. By integrating stick measurements with manufacturer data, FuelTrackr ensures trust and accountability in fuel management.
The Importance of Stick Measurements
Preventing Siphoning and Theft
One of the biggest challenges companies face with on-site fuel storage, or fuel trucks that get fueled while unattended is theft by siphoning. The physical act of sticking the tank—that is, measuring the actual fluid level by hand—provides a direct reading that’s hard to tamper with undetected. By doing this regularly, you can compare readings over time and quickly catch any unexplained drops in fuel level.
Verifying Fuel Deliveries
Fuel deliveries can represent a substantial expense, so confirming that each shipment is correct is critical. By recording the fuel tank level before and after each delivery, you can confirm that the service company delivered precisely the amount charged. Stick measurement provides a manual verification that matches the invoice details. If the invoice says one thing, but your stick readings don’t align, you have immediate grounds for questioning the discrepancy.
Cross-Checking Digital Systems
Even if you already have automated sensors or other measurement solutions, stick measurement remains an excellent backup method—particularly in remote or challenging environments where electrical or network connectivity may be unreliable. It gives you peace of mind, knowing that if your other systems fail or if you suspect an error, you always have a way to gather trustworthy data.
How the Tank Equation Works
From Depth to Volume
Each fuel tank has unique dimensions (length, diameter, shape of the ends, etc.) that affect how depth readings translate into volume. FuelTrackr relies on a tank equation— Most tank manufacturers provide a calibration chart that correlates depths with volumes.You add these values to the details of your tank in fuel tracker and we do the work of creating an equation that will tell you the volume in the tank for any given depth in the range.
Here’s how it works:
- Measure Depth: Insert the stick into the tank until it reaches the bottom, then remove it carefully to observe the “wet” line indicating the fuel level.
- Record Depth: Enter the measurement in the app.
- Use Tank Equation: We plug that depth into the tank formula for you, and do the math.
- Get the Volume: The output is the total number of gallons currently in the tank.
Adjusting for Tank Geometry
Different tanks have different shapes—vertical cylinder, horizontal cylinder, or rectangular prism. FuelTrackr’s methodology is flexible enough to handle these variations. The tank manufacturer’s calibration tables account for these shape-specific details.
c. Accounting for Variations
Some factors that can cause small fluctuations in stick measurements include:
- Temperature: Fuel volume can expand or contract with temperature changes.
- Tank Tilt: If the tank is slightly off-level, readings might vary.
- Measurement Technique: If the stick is inserted at an angle or read incorrectly, it can introduce errors.
That’s why FuelTrackr always recommends keeping measurement conditions as consistent as possible—using the same stick each time, measuring at the same point in the tank, and ensuring the tank is on level ground.
All of this data is presented to the user in an easy to understand graph. We also provide hints and tips that make identifying variation easy, and spotting missing fuel a cinch!
Benefits of Using FuelTrackr’s Approach
- Transparency: Stick measurements provide a direct verification that’s difficult to manipulate.
- Cost Savings: By detecting discrepancies in deliveries or potential theft, you save money that would otherwise be lost.
- Reliability: A physical stick measurement process never goes offline and doesn’t require complex calibration, and doesn’t require costly equipment or modifications to your existing equipment.
- Easy Adoption: Most tanks are designed with an accessible opening for a dipstick, making it a quick process that can be taught to any on-site staff.
Putting It All Together
FuelTrackr combines the classic reliability of stick measurement with the accuracy of the tank manufacturer’s table.
- You have clear data points—the depth measured on a physical stick.
- You have a reliable formula (or calibration chart) from the tank manufacturer.
- You get an exact volume each time you measure, creating a verifiable record of how much fuel is in the tank.
By integrating these manual measurements into your overall fuel management routine, you protect against losses and gain peace of mind. You know with certainty how much fuel you have at any given time, and you can confirm that every fuel invoice is accurate—no guesswork needed.
Final Thoughts
In a world full of electronic monitoring devices and AI-driven solutions, it’s sometimes easy to overlook straightforward, inexpensive, uncomplicated and time-tested methods. Stick measurement, backed by a precise tank equation, is an essential practice for keeping your fuel secure and your business running smoothly. Whether you’re conducting regular checks or verifying deliveries, this approach ensures you’re never left in the dark about the amount of fuel in your tank. By aligning real-world measurements with manufacturer data, FuelTrackr makes it simple to maintain trust, accountability, and cost-efficiency in your fuel management program.
Inquire today at www.fueltrackr.com/contact to find out how easy it is to implement FuelTrackr and start enjoying the peace of mind that comes from knowing all your fuel is accounted for.
