I can remember when a gas station was a service station. The person pumping your gas (and they did pump gas for you in those days) opened the hood and checked all your fluids. If you were low on oil, needed new wiper blades or a headlight replaced, you could get it done on the spot. For more major repairs, you could just pull into the service bay - they all had them back then. It was very unusual for gas stations to have a convenience store inside. Usually it was just a couple of vending machines and maybe a rack of magazines and maps. The whole place smelled of motor oil.
I worked my way through college doing two jobs, one job as a gas station jockey. At a Texaco station I worked at, the owner instructed me to always try to open a customer's car hood. And not to take a refusal from the customer until he refused three times. Checked the oil and water. Then cleaned the windshield, and asked if they wanted the tires checked. Did all that as well as tending the cash register, mopping up the service bay, cleaning the restrooms, and assisting the mechanics with engine repairs. Good honest work, and work that's almost non-existent in California now. One station I worked at, the owner made me carry a gun in my pocket. Had to be careful when wiping windshields as my pocket would bump against a car fender. I miss the old days, sigh...