A Gas station is a place where you can buy fuel for your vehicle. They usually sell petrol, diesel, and oil. In some places, they offer more services including repair services for vehicles.
As vehicles come in different shapes and sizes, the gas stations have also started offering more services to meet demands.
In the United States, you can find two types of gas stations: the ones offering premium-branded gas and those offering discount-branded gas. Premium-brand gas includes international brand names, like Esso, Mobil, and BP, and non-international brands like Pemex and Petro-Canada. Premium-brand gas stations accept credit cards and have their own business cards, however charge higher prices. The discount brand gas stations are smaller local chains or independent stations that provide less expensive gas. These stations usually accept only cash, with only a few accepting credit cards.
Gas stations in rural areas allow consumers to pump gas first and pay later on; however due to an increase in crime in urban areas, consumers now need to pay first and pump gas after. These are installed by companies that specialize in mobile gas stations, and you have to use a cash acceptance machine to pay for the fuel and then the machine will allow you to fill your gas tank.
Most of the gas stations in the United States offer a choice between full-service and self-service gas stations. In full-service gas stations, an attendant runs the pump, checks the car’s oil, wipes your car’s windshield, and after that collects payment and maybe a tip. In self-service gas stations, the client needs to pump the gas himself.
Up until the 1970s, full-service gas stations were the standard, but nowadays, not all gas stations provide full service and those that do, charge more for the service. Having an open flame in a gas station is strictly forbidden because of the threat of igniting the fuel vapors.
Gas stations generally have toilets; the tidiness and standards vary with the gas stations. Lots of gas stations have convenience stores selling food, beverages, lottery tickets, motor oil, and occasionally parts. However,, the prices are higher than those in a grocery store or warehouse.
Depending on the state laws, some gas stations also offer wine, beer, and liquor. Some gas stations have totally free or discounted car wash facilities while others have small, fast-food outlets like McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, or Wendy’s, with restricted seating and …