# When could we first pump our own gas? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [September 19, 2020, 12:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144 "2020-09-19T00:35:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 12:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/1 "2020-09-19T00:35:27Z")
In 1966, our local Phillips 66 gastation would give a nice avocado green glass dinner plate, dessert plate or drinkinglass with a fill-up. We used themanyears. Why named Phillips 66? Thank you. PS: I always locate themergency shut off button. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 12:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/2 "2020-09-19T00:49:15Z")
For route 66the Chicago to LA highway. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 1:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/3 "2020-09-19T01:15:29Z")
I think I started pumping my own gas around 1977 in Ohio. We had a few Phillips 66’s around but I normally used Sohio or Shell. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 1:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/4 "2020-09-19T01:50:17Z")
I really do not recall at all but it must have been about 1975. But even if you did your own you had to get there before they closed. Not like now where you can go anytime with plastic. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 2:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/5 "2020-09-19T02:31:43Z")
the “Phillips 66” name for the gasoline came about by a combination of events.[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillips_66#cite_note-Museum-5) The specific gravity of the gasoline was close to 66; the car testing the fuel did 66 miles per hour; and, the test took place on [US Route 66](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Route_66).[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillips_66#cite_note-Museum-5) So, the naming committee unanimously voted for “Phillips 66 By 1981 you could pump your own gas in every state ecxept Oregon and New Jersey ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 11:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/6 "2020-09-19T11:53:10Z")
> [@wolyrobb](#): > > By 1981 you could pump your own gas in every state ecxept Oregon and New Jersey Hint: In NJ you _can_ pump your own gas, despite the belief that some type of mythical gasoline police are going to jump out from behind the pump and put handcuffs on your wrists. In fact, most attendants thank me for doing it. So much for a prohibition on pumping your own gas… But, to return to the topic of gas station giveaways, back in the '60s, there was a discount gas station in my county that used to give a small bag of “traction grit” with each fill-up during the winter. In the warmer months, they gave a roll of toilet paper. Both–very practical! ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 12:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/7 "2020-09-19T12:04:27Z")
Back then we also chose breakfast cereal based on the ‘prize’ in the box. ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 9:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/8 "2020-09-19T21:17:52Z")
Some time in the mid 70’s here in the Midwest. Back before regular gas went above 99.9¢ a gallon. ---
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/9 "2020-09-19T21:47:20Z")
Gastation attendant stole the gas cap fromy 1961 Volvo 544. Drove with a rag plugging the filler opening. Manager paid for a gas cap I bought from an auto partstore. Friend said it should be Volvo, but I did not care. Cannot remember when this happened. Soon after, we could pump our own gas and then go in and pay for it. A Conoco station operated by my girlfriend would have **drive-offs**. Not possible now anywhere that I know. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 9:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/10 "2020-09-19T21:52:07Z")
1970, at a 7-11 ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2020, 12:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/11 "2020-09-20T00:18:45Z")
In 1969 while in high school I worked part time in a gas station run by the now defunct Kerr McGee oil company. (Of Karen Silkwood fame) We had a couple of self-serve pumps on the far outside island but most were full service. ---
**Author:** ![B.L.E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/848f3c/32.png) [@B.L.E](https://community.cartalk.com/u/B.L.E)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2020, 1:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/12 "2020-09-20T13:42:42Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > Hint: In NJ you _can_ pump your own gas, despite the belief that some type of mythical gasoline police are going to jump out from behind the pump and put handcuffs on your wrists. In fact, most attendants thank me for doing it. So much for a prohibition on pumping your own gas… I guess it’s just largely unenforced like the 55 mph speed limit back in the days. Unless you encounter some Hitler-in-my-pocket, HOA president, petty tyrant, busybody. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2020, 1:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/13 "2020-09-20T13:47:26Z")
> [@B.L.E](#): > > I guess it’s just largely unenforced like the 55 mph speed limit back in the days. Unless you encounter some Hitler-in-my-pocket, HOA president, petty tyrant, busybody. No, it’s totally unenforced. When I still had free access to the state’s law databases, I searched for cases of people being given citations for violation of that regulation, and found… zero… since it was instituted in 1949. And yet, the vast majority of the state’s population cowers in fear of… something… if they dare to touch the gas pump. ---
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2020, 1:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/14 "2020-09-20T13:57:55Z")
I remember driving through Oregon in the mid-'70s. We came from California and were used to pumping our own. We didn’t know about Oregon’s rule, went to pump our own, a guy rushed out and stopped us. I never pumped my own in the '60s, but that was Maryland. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2020, 2:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/15 "2020-09-20T14:05:59Z")
> [@RandomTroll](#): > > We didn’t know about Oregon’s rule, went to pump our own, a guy rushed out and stopped us Well, the attendants in NJ are apparently much more laid-back than the ones in Oregon. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2020, 1:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/16 "2020-09-21T01:39:14Z")
> [@B.L.E](#): > > I guess it’s just largely unenforced like the 55 mph speed limit back in the days. Yeah right, dream on. I got two tickets in one month on the freeway. Three and I would have been a habitual offender. They used to hide just over the rise so you couldn’t see them. No mercy. They loved it. Had nothing to do with safety on the same road that before that had been 70 mph. One of the guys was a friend of the family. He used to brag about ticketing one of the MN Twins. I think it cost me $75. So yeah, you know, rules are rules, but there are stupid rules too. So if it is not enforced, why don’t they take it off the books? You know the reason-a five letter word. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2020, 4:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/17 "2020-09-21T04:20:16Z")
From what I can find they’re trying to get it off the books but it hasn’t happened yet. ---
**Author:** ![B.L.E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/848f3c/32.png) [@B.L.E](https://community.cartalk.com/u/B.L.E)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2020, 10:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/18 "2020-09-21T10:45:47Z")
Yes, the 55 speed limit was a speed trap’s dream. However, I had one conversation with somebody and I said “I wish they would either enforce the 55 speed limit or get rid of it”. The other person said, “It’s really no problem, everybody knows you can go 70 on I 35 and 65 on Highway 71 without getting pulled over” and I replied, “If it’s ok to go 70 on I 35, I want the signs to say so”. At first, when Nixon called for the 55 speed limit, it was a temporary measure for a fuel shortage emergency and most people cooperated. Then during the Carter administration, it was decided to make it permanent to save lives. People just got tired of driving 55 and it wasn’t long before everybody became a speeder. If you obeyed it, everybody would pass you including police not in pursuit. This experience is one of the main reasons I am not a fan of laws that are not enforced. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2020, 11:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/19 "2020-09-21T11:28:43Z")
> [@B.L.E](#): > > the 55 speed limit was a speed trap’s dream. If you want to see a true speed trap dream, come to my area, where the powers-that-be have set a 30 mph speed limit on a couple of rural roads that adjoin open farm fields, with no houses, driveways, or intersections, and with a clear view of the road ahead for a minimum of 1/4 mile at all points. It was this situation that caused me to buy a Valentine-1 radar detector, and it has paid for itself many times over. ---
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2020, 11:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144/20 "2020-09-21T11:59:18Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > …the powers-that-be have set a 30 mph speed limit on a couple of rural roads that adjoin open farm fields, with no houses, driveways, or intersections, and with a clear view of the road ahead for a minimum of 1/4 mile at all times. I would write them asking why such a low speed limit. For farmers using the roads to get heavy equipment out of their fields? (Yesterday got flashed by a photo speed van for traveling 41 mph in a 30 mph zone. Light bar was operating but no sireneeded.) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-could-we-first-pump-our-own-gas/170144.md?page=2)