Seniors: Do you remember the old service gas stations?

Question

You got your oil checked, your windshields wiped, and gas pumped and S &H green stamps with a smile. I think they even put air in your tire if you needed it. You didn't have to get out of the car at all! I can still hear the sound of the hose that would ding as a car rode across it and into the station. I remember Esso and Sinclair (with the green dinosaur) gas stations. Sadly, no more service.

Wow I am full of questions today

Answer 1

Yeah. I was upset when this sort of service dissappeared. I didn't know how to pump my own, and used to drive half way across town to find a full service station.

Finally, I was forced to learn to pump. But, still feel stupid sometimes because not every pump is like every other. I have to ask, sometimes.

I still can't check my own oil. I do ok with washing my own windows.

Answer 2

I do miss them 'cause it's hard getting to my windows. I drive a Pathfinder and can't reach that far into the window. The middle is always dirty. lol. The last time I went to one was when I noticed I really needed gas and since I didn't know the area I stopped at one in an upscale Paradise Valley station. I only had the young man put five dollars in because the gas was so expensive. I couldn't tell if the gauge moved but, it was enough to get me to another station. I miss the good old days of cheap gas and cheap fun things to do. Can't even go to a ball game nowadays without spending a hundred bucks.

Answer 3

Once in a while you can find a full service station. I also remember the pumps had a propeller in a glass sight that spun, and a bell would ding about .9 gallons each time, so you didn't have to look at the numbers.

Answer 4

The gas pumps were so cool ! You pumped the gas up to the top glass tank and then I guess gravity transferred it into your vehicle. I used to love watching when I was a kid !

Added: When self service first began I hated the stench of gas on my hands ! Now I dont even notice it, either I have gotten used to it, or just older and my olfactory receptors arent as sensitive

Answer 5

Hey, I can even remember patching inner-tubes [with a black sticky patch that you 'vulcanized' in some kind of hot press gadget] and the nickel coke machine inside the office... We had a Texaco station down on the corner by my grandma's and I used to hang out there...the gas station man and his wife lived in an apartment on top of the station building. She made cookies and brought them down for the kids who used to stop off on their way to the beach to get their inner-tubes patched...so you wouldn't sink when you floated around the waves on them. I used to earn some nickels wiping customers windshields when the station guy was real busy...which I put to good use in the coke machine!

Answer 6

I remember it well. Our last full service station closed here about 3 years ago. Now, we have to find specialty shops to get things taken care of. Air at the convenience stores cost 25 cents.

Answer 7

Actually you can still get this service in areas in The Northwest where it's illegal to pump your own gas.

However, I think it's more for the economy (higher gas price) than an attempt at "service".

weeder

Answer 8

This is still happening in Mexico. If I recall hearing the news correctly, Mexico is stopping these services because they are being sold to the US, or something like that. This is bad because MANY people will lose their jobs.

Answer 9

Hey, you don't have to be a senior to remember that! I'm only 44 and not only do I remember it -- I have used it. There are still days in the dead of winter when I would gladly pay extra for those services. Thanks for the reminder of the S&H green stamps. Whatever happened to those?

Answer 10

I sure do remember! I used to love to go with my dad to the Texaco station:
♫"You can trust your car to the man who wears the star. The big ,red,Texaco star!" ♫

I would run around behind the counter and get a red lollypop shaped like a fireman's hat.