Do you miss the "Full Service Filling Stations" ??

Question

I sure do...no telling how many cars I've ruined by not having someone to check my oil, water etc. Wish they'd bring'em back!!Don't you??

Answer 1

I miss them very much although I am not driving now due to my disabilities. I do plan to drive again though and will have to have an accessible van when I do. When I saw this question, it dawned on me that there are other seniors who may not be able to pump their own gas because of disabilities and I wanted to pass along the information that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires self-serve gas stations to provide refueling assistance upon request of a disabled customer and they are required to do so for the same price as is charged for self-serve customers (of course, I am sure a tip would be appreciated). It isn't the "full service" with oil and tire pressure checks as well as windshield cleaning we remember, but it sure is good to know that I will be able to get that help when I do drive again.

Answer 2

Yes, especially when right across the river in Oregon, the
stations there all have an attendant to fill your tank. But they
don't do windows. Nor check your oil gauge, or put air in
your tires. And to beat all, they are cheaper per gallon than
we are on the Washington side. You'd think it would be the
other way around. It used to be, that gas was cheaper over
here, but something happened somewhere. We also have
a state sales tax, which Oregon doesn't have. It doesn't
seem fair, does it? And just what did happen to the "Man
who wears the Star", anyway? I miss those guys too. My
grandpa owned a Shell station for several years and even
my grandma would help him. She'd even wash the front
windows if he was busy on another car. They were quite
a team. Not just there, but on the farms they had also over
the years as well.

Answer 3

LOL! My first experience with a self-serve station was when I moved to Florida where you have to pump your own gas. I made sure my ex or his son kept my tank filled, checked the oil, etc. because alone I couldn't figure out how to work the pumps without looking stupid. Some of the pumps were kind of old fashioned. Sure enough, one day I was forced to get my own gas.

Back in New Jersey, even now, you can't do that. It's full service only. While I used to love that, now I find it slower than doing it myself.

Answer 4

I haven't seen one for a long time here in California.
I know it is strange when we used to go to Oregon and there they don't even let you pump your own gas. They have an attendent that has to do it for you. They don't wash the windows or check the oil tho.
With the newer cars you have a longer amount of time till you have to change the oil, and now they have drive up oil change services, some you do not even have to get out of your car.
But I still don't trust them, what if they forget to put the plug back in there goes your engine.

Answer 5

Yes, I miss them. I have a sensitivity to that gas smell, so now I carry baby wipes or napkins and use them over the gas cap and pump handle.

We moved back to WV for a couple years in the 90's and there was a full service station in town. It cost a little more, but it was worth it to me for someone to pump the gas, check the oil, clean the window, etc.

Answer 6

Yes I do! I don't like to pump gas because I usually get some of the stinky stuff on my hands. It was so nice to pull in at the station, get the oil checked, windows cleaned and gas tank filled. My Dad taught us at a young age to give the attendant a little tip even if it was a dime. Dimes were very important back then.

Answer 7

i miss a lot of full service services because it was a way to connect with people in a personal and friendly way, unfortunately it would not work in society today with 3 to 4 times the vehicles on the road today it would be physically impossible to service all in a timely fashion so if you're capable check your own fluids or have a family member or friend do it for you, it's the price we pay for progress and if you think those were the good old days you're in a time warp, think of all the hardships back then like stoking the furnace at night or hauling ashes and maybe chopping wood for the fireplace or even cooking. i could list many more and besides if i still had to do that i wouldn't have time to enjoy myself on y-answers. these are the good days those old ones uh-uh not so good.

Answer 8

Yes! I miss them and like you, I depended upon them to make sure the fluids were at appropriate levels. They would check the tire pressure in the tires too, wash the windshield and even bring your change back to you....all this without having to get out in the weather!!

I truly wish they would bring these back but, as long as gas and oil are difficult to get, in this one world market.....I think we have seen the last of these "Full Service" stations. Perhaps, only in a few places? Nowhere, that I know!

Answer 9

Hi Deney,
I am in a small town and our one and only local station is full service. They just pump the gas unless you ask them to check under the hood and such, but they also have a full service garage to tend to which is usually always busy.
One thing I'll never get used to is having to pay 50 cents for a little air in a tire. I never go to a station like that if I can help it. (I know, stubborn)

Answer 10

I could not imagine the kids nowadays doing a competent job at such a small wage.
In those days, kids were proud to have a decent job like knowing cars, now they want to be assistant manager or make $15 bucks an hour for their first job.

I wouldnt let anyone touch my car today. Not these losers I see.