18 Amazing Services Gas Stations Used to Offer (Besides Just Fuel)
Modern pumps are quick stops: fuel up, snag a soda, and go. But in the heyday of American car culture, filling stations were bustling hubs staffed by attendants in sharp caps and brimming with unexpected amenities.
From complimentary maps to roadside diners, these 18 lost offerings capture the vibrant spirit of mid-century motoring.
1. Free Windshield Cleaning with Every Fill-Up
Every tank of gas came with a crystal-clear view. Attendants scrubbed away grime and bugs with a swift squeegee, leaving windshields spotless.
Now, drivers wrestle with streaky sponges at self-serve bays.
2. Checking Your Oil and Tire Pressure—No Extra Charge
An attendant in a crisp uniform would pop your hood, check your oil level, and even adjust your tire pressure. All this came standard with a fill-up—no tipping, no service fee.
It made drivers feel cared for, even on the loneliest roads.
3. Road Map Giveaways
Before digital navigation, road maps were gold, and gas stations handed them out like candy. Some were even customized with suggested scenic routes and the company’s logo printed proudly across the cover.
A free map meant freedom, spontaneity, and fewer wrong turns.
4. Green Stamps with Every Gallon
Spend a few bucks, get a sheet of S&H Green Stamps, and paste them into a little booklet. Collect enough and you could trade them in for blenders, radios, or even furniture.
It was loyalty marketing at its most charming.
5. On-Site Mechanics for Quick Fixes
If your car made a funny noise, you could pull into a gas station and have a mechanic look at it immediately. From fan belts to spark plugs, they handled quick repairs without the hassle of a full garage visit.
Convenience like that is hard to imagine today.
6. Full-Scale Car Washes
Many stations had in-house car wash bays where your vehicle got scrubbed by hand. The best ones even towel-dried your car afterward and handed you a peppermint for the road.
It felt like a mini spa day for your ride.
7. Free Glassware and Dishware Promotions
Fill-ups brought elegant glasses or plates, building dinner sets over time. Families chased the best patterns, turning pumps into prize hubs.
These tokens wove fuel into daily life.
8. Travel Information Booths
Some gas stations doubled as tourist help desks, offering maps, brochures, and motel recommendations. A friendly clerk might even call ahead to book your room.
For road-trippers, this was as good as having a co-pilot.
9. Lube and Oil Change Services
Bays offered fast oil changes, letting drivers roll out refreshed in minutes. Fluid top-offs were a bonus, no waiting required.
This efficiency kept engines humming.
10. In-Station Diners and Lunch Counters
Why settle for chips when you could have a hot burger and a slice of pie? Some gas stations included full diners where locals and travelers rubbed elbows over coffee and conversation.
These were community hubs disguised as pit stops.
11. Shoe-Shining Services
Mostly in city locations, gas stations employed shoe-shiners to keep drivers looking sharp. Businessmen could step out, get their wingtips gleaming, and be back on the road in minutes.
It was fast, convenient, and classy.
12. Car Accessory Sales (From Fuzzy Dice to Floor Mats)
If you wanted to jazz up your ride, the station had you covered with mirrors, mats, decals, and air fresheners. Many even sold seat covers and hubcaps.
It was like a tiny automotive boutique in every corner store.
13. Pay Phones with Phonebooks
Lighted booths held phones and dog-eared phonebooks, linking drivers to help or home. A dime opened a world of contacts.
These kiosks were lifelines before cellphones.
14. Free Water for Radiators
When summer heat cooked your engine, gas stations would help cool things down with buckets of water or hose access. Overheating cars were a common sight, and stations were prepared.
It wasn’t just customer service but a lifeline.
15. Live Tigers and Mascot Animals (Really!)
One Gulf station famously kept a live tiger on-site as part of its “Put a Tiger in Your Tank” promotion. It drew attention like wildfire, even if the ethics were questionable by today’s standards.
It was marketing with claws.
16. Ice Delivery and Block Ice Sales
Whether for coolers, fish, or roadside emergencies, stations often sold massive blocks of ice. Some even carved them on the spot using giant tongs and saws.
Perfect for campers, truckers, or anyone with an unplugged fridge.
17. Personalized Service with a Smile
The same attendant might greet you by name, remember your fuel preference, and ask about your kids. It was customer service before it was a buzzword.
Drivers felt like neighbors, not just wallets on wheels.
18. Free Coffee with a Fill-Up
A steaming mug, maybe a day old, came with the gas. It warmed hands and spirits on chilly dawns.
That small gesture fueled more than cars.