16 Gas Station Services From the ’70s That Disappeared

The gas stations of the 1970s operated differently from the quick-serve model that we are familiar with today. The attendant did a lot of work for the patron of the gas station, who remained in their vehicle during this process. The work included checking the level of the oil, checking the tire pressure, washing the windshield, refilling the radiator, checking the fan belt, and even vacuuming the interior of the vehicle. Some of these gas stations offered free maps, trading stamps, and even various forms of collectible glassware that would encourage customers to return to these locations. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, based on a level of trust between the driver of the vehicle and the attendant of the gas station.

1. Full-Service Gas Pump Attendants

Gas stations were not the self-service type as they are now. The attendants, dressed in their uniforms, would come to your car as you pulled up to the gas pump. You’d stay inside, and they’d take care of everything for you. Gas was put into the tank, the windows were cleaned with a squeegee, and the oil level was checked with the utmost efficiency. They’d even check the tire pressure if the level looked low, without being asked. The whole operation was conducted with a sense of speed and silence, a sense of invisible efficiency. Gas stations were not just for refueling your car. There was a sense of service, a sense of a service center.

2. Free Windshield Cleaning at Every Stop

In the 1970s, a clean windshield came with every gas fill. When a car pulled up to the gas pump, the gas attendant would grab a bucket of soap and water with a rubber squeegee. In a matter of seconds, the windshield was like new. Bugs, dust, and road dirt disappeared with a few strong swipes. The driver did not even need to leave the car. It was as if it were just another part of the gas fill. This little service made long road trips a lot more comfortable. The roads were thick with bugs in the summer. This made the windshield rather hazy. Gas stations solved the problem every time a car filled up with gas.

3. Free Oil Level Checks

Checking the engine oil levels was a common practice when filling gas. In the 1970s, it was common practice for gas attendants to ask if you wanted your oil checked. The hood would come open, the dipstick would come out smoothly, and the attendant would quickly wipe the oil level with a rag. If the level looked low, a motor oil container would be ready to go. The attendant would pour the right amount of oil into the engine and explain to the driver what he had just added. This simple procedure helped save many engines from premature damage. Old cars consumed more motor oil than the gas-guzzlers of today. Drivers forgot to check the oil levels between gas stops.

4. Free Tire Pressure Checks

A common service that was performed when pulling into a gas station in the 1970s was checking tire pressure. After filling up the gas tank, the attendant would walk around the vehicle with a small handheld device in hand. The valve caps would be removed quickly, and the reading would appear almost instantly. If a tire looked deflated, the attendant would direct the vehicle over to an air hose located alongside the gas pump area. The air would blow through a metal nozzle, and the attendant would closely monitor the gauge reading. It was important that tires were inflated correctly, but this was not commonly realized at the time.

5. Radiator Water Refills

In the 1970s, engines were more prone to overheating than they are now. In fact, some cars’ cooling systems would lose water during a long trip or a hot summer drive. Gas stations came to the rescue. The attendant would open the hood and, with care, open the radiator cap after the motor had cooled a little. Then, a metal watering can or hose would be used to add water to the radiator. It was a simple procedure, but it was one that might prevent a car from stalling on the highway. This was one more instance of how cars needed more care back in the 1970s. The cooling systems relied on the water level, which was not always checked before a drive.

6. Fan Belt Inspections

The fan belt was a quiet sentinel of the car’s heart, keeping it cool and its electrics humming through the 1970s. As the belt wore over time, stations began offering a quick check when you filled up your tank. Raise your hood, and an attendant would give your belt a quick prod to check its tension. If cracks started showing in its rubber, you would know right away that a replacement was not far off. The quick check would save you from an unpleasant surprise during a long drive. A broken fan belt could cause your engine to overheat or your battery to die in no time. Gas stations carried spare belts for popular makes, so you could get your car fixed right there on the spot.

7. Trading Stamps with Fuel Purchases

You remember when gas stations would give you little paper stamps when you filled up your gas tank if you were a regular customer? Well, you would see programs such as S&H Green Stamps pop up all over the country. After filling up the gas tank, drivers would receive stamps based on how much they spent. Families would save these stamps in little books that were usually kept in a drawer or in the glove compartment of your car. These stamps would add up over time, and you could trade them in for various items that you needed every day. These items could be things such as a toaster, pots and pans, a radio, or even appliances.

8. Free Road Maps from Oil Companies

Gas stations were once a popular place to pick up a free road map, a little ritual before a big trip. In the 1970s, when people were coming together for a big trip, they would go to a gas station just to pick up a map. Companies like Mobil, Chevron, and Standard Oil would create detailed maps that would span entire states or regions of the country. These maps would fold up nicely and neatly in the glove compartment, showing all the highways, towns, and popular places people could visit along the way. The attendant would hand out these maps with a big smile, sometimes even circling routes with a pen. These little maps would direct all sorts of family vacations and cross-country road trips.

9. Promotional Glassware Giveaways

Gas stations in the 1970s were known for their playful glassware giveaways. Large oil companies partnered with manufacturers to create drinking glasses adorned with fun, eye-catching artwork. When people stopped by a gas station to fill up their car, they would leave with a glass for a very low price. There were some that were for cartoon characters, some that were for sports enthusiasts, and some that were patriotic in nature. People would collect these glasses from different gas stations by going back to the same place several times. The kitchens in many American homes were filled with these glasses from different gas stations. Kids enjoyed picking a new one when their parents stopped by a gas station for gas.

10. Free Air Hose Service by Attendants

Gas stations in the 1970s provided personal service with the handling of the air, keeping patrons at the car. The car pulled up, and the attendant knew a soft tire as soon as he saw one. The attendant, after putting gas in the car, pulled over a thick rubber hose from a nearby compressor by the gas pump. The caps came off, the nozzle was inserted, and the air was turned on as the attendant made a series of smooth, efficient motions. There was a small gauge on the nozzle’s end that indicated the tire’s pressure as the attendant watched. When the correct pressure was indicated, the nozzle hissed, the valve cap was replaced, and the procedure was repeated for the rest of the tires.

11. Engine Tune-Up Service at Service Bays

In the 1970s, many gas stations had a small mechanical service bay directly adjacent to the pumps. This allowed a mechanic a chance to give a quick shot at an engine tune while you sipped coffee or had a snack, waiting for your turn. Cars pulled into a garage area as the mechanic checked spark plugs, babying the ignition timing, and fine-tuning the carburetor. The goal was simple: smooth-running engines and a few more miles on a tank as fuel prices began to rise. It was a wonderful convenience for drivers, who appreciated not having to make a separate trip to a repair shop, just a quick tune from the gas station mechanic as they made their stop for gas.

12. Battery Charging and Testing

Dead batteries were a big problem for people in the 1970s. When the temperature went down, it was a big problem. There were a lot of gas stations that provided quick services for people to check their batteries. If the car did not start, a driver could roll the car to a gas station and ask for assistance. A gas station employee or a mechanic could plug a battery tester into the car to check the power level. If the power level is low, the gas station could plug the car’s battery into a charger to bring the power level up. This could take a little time. However, it could save the driver from trouble. There were a lot of gas stations that had replacement batteries for the most popular cars.

13. Windshield Washer Fluid Refills

Windshield washer fluid levels were typically kept full at gas stations in the 1970s as part of routine maintenance. After popping the hood for their initial check of the oil levels, gas pump attendants would also glance at the windshield washer fluid reservoir. If they saw that it was low, they’d grab a small container from a nearby shelf and pour it into the windshield washer fluid tank, being careful not to spill any of its contents into the opening of the tank. It was a simple yet important gesture, especially when rain was present or when dust was kicked up on the road. This gesture was in keeping with the general service mentality of people in the 1970s, where a clear windshield was considered necessary for safe long-distance driving.

14. Headlight and Taillight Checks

Safety checks were a common feature when filling up with petrol in the 1970s. At night, a person would walk around the vehicle, checking that the headlights and taillights were working. The driver would turn these on and off, and a close eye would be kept on both ends of the vehicle. If a light was not coming on, the person would warn the driver straight away. Some petrol stations even carried these bulbs and could replace a faulty light on the spot, near the petrol pump. This ensured that a vehicle was not driven away with poor nighttime vision. It also ensured that the petrol station was seen as a useful ally on the road, rather than just a place to stop for petrol. This trend was replaced by self-service petrol pumps.

15. Courtesy Car Window Wiping

In the old days, clean car windows were a simple courtesy offered at the pump. After refueling, the car windows were cleaned with a cloth or squeegee. The front window, side window, and windshield were scrubbed free of the dust, bug splatter, and grime that accumulated on the car after a long drive. The process took only a second, as the driver was still inside the car and the fueling nozzle was inserted at the pump. The gesture was appreciated because the extra service provided a clean window without the driver having to step outside the car, making the gesture a personal service as the driver refueled the car.

16. Courtesy Vehicle Vacuum Service

A gas station back in the 1970s would sometimes give a quick clean inside the vehicle as a gesture of goodwill for their loyal customers. Nearby the service area, they would have strong vacuum cleaners at hand, which were their equipment of trade for service work. If a motorist complained about dirtiness inside the vehicle, they would sometimes offer a quick vacuuming of the floor mats and seats. The hose would stretch out across the asphalt as they cleaned out loose gravel, sand, and paper scraps from the cabin of the vehicle. This was an example of just how gas stations were not just simply gas stations, but little automotive service centers.

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