Fuel Level Sensor
In Arabicحساس مستوى الوقود
A device fitted to a vehicle's tank that measures fuel level, so the tracking system knows the litres in the tank at any moment.
What is a fuel level sensor in fleet management?
The sensor measures the height of fuel in the tank and turns it into a signal the tracking unit can read; calibration then turns that signal into litres. Trucks mostly use capacitive probes, a rod fitted vertically inside the tank. Ultrasonic sensors mount under the tank without drilling, and BLE sensors connect to the tracker wirelessly.
Newer vehicles may report fuel level over the CAN Bus, though usually less precisely than a dedicated sensor.
How it works
- 1Sensor measures fuel height
- 2Tracker sends the reading
- 3Platform converts it to litres
Why does a fuel level sensor matter in fleet management?
The dashboard gauge is approximate and never reaches the office. An accurate sensor is what exposes fuel drained from the tank, checks station invoices against what actually went in, and gives true consumption per trip. Without one, fuel figures stay estimates, and estimates will not hold up when you question a driver or a station.
What you gain
- Exposes fuel drained from tanks
- Checks invoices against real fills
- Measures true consumption
How does Safee help you use fuel level sensor data?
Safee turns the sensor reading into litres and a tank percentage and draws a fuel curve for each vehicle, so every fill and every sudden drop shows with its time and place. It works with analogue, digital and BLE sensors, so a mixed fleet is not tied to one type.
A field example
A cement haulier in Dammam running 60 trucks saw its diesel bill come in about 12% above forecast every month. It relied on CAN Bus readings that jumped 10% at a time, too coarse to show small thefts. It fitted capacitive sensors to 20 trucks as a trial, and the first month logged 9 overnight drops of 40 to 80 litres on parked trucks. After investigating the drivers and fitting sensors fleet-wide, the monthly fuel bill fell 9%.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a capacitive and an ultrasonic fuel sensor?
A capacitive probe goes inside the tank through a drilled hole and is usually more accurate and cheaper. An ultrasonic sensor mounts under the tank from outside, which suits tanks that must not be drilled.
Can CAN Bus fuel data replace a fuel sensor?
It is usually fine for tracking consumption if the vehicle reports total fuel used. Catching drains and fills to the litre needs a calibrated external sensor on most trucks.
How accurate is a capacitive fuel sensor?
Manufacturers typically quote around 1% of tank volume, but real-world accuracy depends on how well it is fitted and calibrated.
Want to put this to work in your fleet?
Talk to a Safee fleet expert about your vehicles and how you operate, and we will suggest what fits.
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