As we look back on the 1960s, gas stations offered a completely unique experience, unlike simple fuel purchases or tedious self-service stations. Gas stations offered full-service car care. To give that extra special touch to your visit, they had amazing employees who offered smiley and friendly greetings. For wonderful complete service like this, you would even say, ‘Fill ‘er up!’ to great effect.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Full-Service Pump Attendants
- 2 2. Free Windshield Cleaning
- 3 3. Oil Level Checks
- 4 4. Tire Pressure Service
- 5 5. S&H Green Stamps
- 6 6. Radiator Check and Fill
- 7 7. Battery Service
- 8 8. Free Road Maps
- 9 9. Air for Your Tires
- 10 10. Under-Hood Inspection
- 11 11. Trading Cards and Collectibles
- 12 12. Full-Service Car Wash
- 13 13. Emergency Road Service Sign-Up
- 14 14. Phone Booths and Travel Information
- 15 15. Repair Shop Services
1. Full-Service Pump Attendants
Also, you never had to leave the comfort of your own vehicle. Attendants would spring into action to serve you right from your car window, greeting you with their bright and cheerful “Regular or Premium?” and then proceed to fill your tank. While filling your tank, they would offer to wash your windshield and even check your oil. Staff would often wear neat and tidy uniforms and badge name tags, and would remember regular customers by name. You weren’t just getting a service, you were receiving a very special and unique personalized experience.
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2. Free Windshield Cleaning
You could always count on windshield cleaning every time you filled up your tank. No questions asked, your windshield would be cleaned by the attendant, and they would expertly wield their squeegee with the greatest of skills. They would even clean your headlights and taillights, contributing to safer driving.
3. Oil Level Checks
In the 1960s, checking your oil was standard practice. The attendant would lift your hood, remove the dipstick, and wipe it clean. The person was also ready with various weights of oil to top-off to ensure that your vehicle would run smoothly.
4. Tire Pressure Service
In the past, tire pressure monitoring systems did not exist. Therefore, gas station attendants would check tire pressure themselves. To keep drivers safe when using their cars, and help them save gas, attendants would check each tire and alter the pressure accordingly. These attendants could even have special charts showing different pressure levels needed for different makes and models of cars.
5. S&H Green Stamps
When customers filled up their gas tank, they would also receive something called Green Stamps. These trading stamps could be collected and traded in for household items, toys, and even furniture! Kids would take their books of stamps to the store to exchange for what they had earned.
6. Radiator Check and Fill
Gas station attendants also checked your radiator, as modern sealed cooling systems services did not exist yet. If your coolant level was low, they would top it off with either water or antifreeze, and also check for leaks to prevent costly repairs.
7. Battery Service
Gas station attendants would help prevent roadside breakdowns by checking, cleaning, topping off with distilled water, and otherwise maintaining the batteries in cars. If the battery was not functioning properly, it would likely cause the car to break down.
8. Free Road Maps
Gas stations used to provide free maps of the area. Attendants would also draw helpful guides and mark interesting stops along the way.
9. Air for Your Tires
Free air service was a standard offering with no quarters or self service. While gas station attendants filled the customers tires with air, they would even check and fill the spare tire.
10. Under-Hood Inspection
Keeping cars running safely and avoiding costly repairs required preventative maintenance. One of the common services was the under-hood inspection. It was designed to help identify issues before they worsened. During the service, an attendant would inspect the belts, hoses, and fluid levels.
11. Trading Cards and Collectibles
While filling up with gas, parents could grab trading cards, toy cars, or even special glasses designed for collectors by Shell, Texaco, or Gulf. These little toys made stopping for gas more fun for kids as gas station promotions became family traditions.
12. Full-Service Car Wash
Some gas stations offered a full-service car wash, where employees would hand wash your car, dry it, and then a vacuum and wipe down the interior, offering a sparkling clean car for a great deal.
13. Emergency Road Service Sign-Up
Gas stations offered the ability to register for emergency road service, which gave drivers peace of mind during a long road trip.
14. Phone Booths and Travel Information
A travel information service was offered by the gas station clerk. If the driver needed to stop for a bite, the clerk could suggest local diners and hotels instead of wasting time by sitting in a booth. Gas stations would often have phone booths for making calls and checking in with family.
15. Repair Shop Services
Not only did gas stations offer repair services, but they also employed mechanics who would take care of any necessary work, whether it be a simple tune-up or an emergency brake job. Prior to a major breakdown, these stations were warned in advance about the problem.
