The Truth Behind the Weird Looking Pumps at Local Stations

I was today years old when I learned that not all gas pumps are actually gas pumps at local Hudson Valley stations.

If you drive a truck, chances are you're rolling your eyes right now... But if you're one of the millions of commuters who drive smaller vehicles to work, I bet you're just as stumped as I was.

Strange Looking Pumps at New York Gas Stations

These "pumps" don't deal with fuel, but rather a different type of additive for your vehicle. While the specialty liquid is very important, I was dumbfounded when I came across them for the first time at the Mobil station in Marlboro, NY.

What Are "DEF" Pumps?

"DEF" said the gas pump that didn't actually have a pump. At first I was at a loss for words. Maybe the pump isn't done growing yet?, I wondered. For all I knew, only mature gas pumps grew a line and dispenser handle. Then I asked my buddy with a diesel truck. "Duh", he said, "DEF stands for diesel exhaust fluid". Come again?

About Diesel Exhaust Fluid

To the uninitiated like me, Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a crucial additive used in vehicles that run off diesel fuel. It's main mission is to remove harmful compounds from the fumes created by an engine's combustion, according to fuel company McIntosh Energy.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid is created from about two parts deionized water and one part urea... the combination works together in your Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system to remove the bad nitrogen oxide particles from your exhaust and converts it into water vapor and pure nitrogen.

While consumers can buy DEF at many local stores, some gas stations, like the Mobil in Marlboro, NY offer a DEF station. While paying at the pump can be more expensive than buying DEF in bulk, trucks running low on the fluid would certainly benefit from a quick fill-up in a pinch.

Get our free mobile app

So the next time you see a hose-less gas pump or a mysterious structure that looks like a portable family restroom like you see at the airport, you can now loudly and proudly say "hey, look, a diesel exhaust fluid station!" and feel like the smartest person in the car.