In Mexico, gasoline stations (
GASOLINERAS) are operated by Pemex, the national petroleum company. Oil however, is often sold there (but also in oil shops). Some industrious people find "employment" at Pemex stations washing your car windshield, filling your tank, etc. Others who are employees also rely on extras - and anyone who does these chores for you should be tipped, perhaps a few pesos - it's expected. But watch:
At the pump: Some will fail to reset the pump - you are then on the hook for what the previous driver paid as well as what you owe. Some will insist on overfilling - "topping off" is not necessarily the thing to do these days.
"Let me check your oil and water": Could be reasonable, could also be an attempt to short-dip (remove the oil dipstick, clean it, insert it in partially to indicate missing oil) and an attempt to sell you oil that you do not need and can cause difficulties later because the crankcase is overfilled. If you allow it, keep an eye on the guy under the hood
at all times, and make sure the person filling the vehicle (you may bot be allowed to do it yourself) is under surveillance as well. (If you are driving
your own car, I do not recommend PEMEX oil anyway - look for the small stores with Mobil, Quaker State (kwah-ker stey-t), etc. signs)
Short-changing: Anything from "no hay cambio" ("there's no change") to short-changing you because you do not know the denominations well or are not watching the hands and count well. Complaining even moments after will not result in any benefit to you. (Pemex stations generally do not accept credit cards.) Try to use the oldest, dirtiest bills you have - that's certainly what you will get in change.
Petty theft: Leave your car locked if you need to go inside the station or use the toilet (a few modern "gasolineras" may be clean, but do not expect a close to reasonably clean or even functioning toilet - and place any toilet paper or newspaper used into the provided can). Leaving the car unlocked may easily result in petty theft and pilferage - after all, you'll never be back, and where would you go to report such theft?
Phony repairs: A quick squirt of oil near your wheel or under your crankcase and "señor, your vehicle needs to be looked at". They won't try this often on visitors, but
they just might. If you must or need repairs, look for a nearby TALLER MECANICO or ask for the "maestro", often pronounced "MICE-trow" and usually the top dawg mechanic. Do not expect he will know too much about modern cars with lots of computer gizmology. (For a spare tire repair, look for small LLANTERA or SE REPARAN LLANTAS signs - again, generally not done at gasoline stations.)
Protection: Plan your
"gasolinera" stops in advance. Never let the gas gauge get much lower than "1/2", and think about what you need and how you are going to handle it before you are distracted or confused.
Better yet: know your vehicle, check it every morning for low air, leaks and hazards, check the oil - before you head in for or gasoline.
Now, there are legitimate stations and people working at them, it's just there's a chance of these things occurring, and as a tourist driving through, you're higher on the "chump" list because you may be less aware than the locals, are unknown (no relationships), won't be around long and if you do try to make a case of it with the local policía, you are very likely to regret doing so.
Just be aware, and you'll have little problems - I've learned over the many years of driving in Mexico, so this is all second nature to me - even in other countries. But if you're an American, used to driving into a large chain gasoline store where you self-serve, etc. you may find yourself in a somewhat alien environment.
Wash your windshield (or worse, your entire car): At stops as well as in or near a gas station, you may have eager people (often kids) wanting to "wash your windshield". Some of these folks have really nasty, dirty water with sand and dirt from prior washings or the nearby stream they took it from, maybe even gummy pollution items like oil, etc. They may use dirty rags or newspapers. They may harm your windshield to the point you will be charged for windshield damage by your rental car company. Just wag your finger, smile and say
"no, gracias" - several times in escalating volume, if you have to. I saw a VW Beetle windshield so damaged by a "street washing" the windshield had to be replaced because of the many deep scratches and opacity they created (Vicente Guerrero, Baja California).
"
Watch your car": You park downtown and a teenaged kid (or several) insist they will "watch your car" (BE SURE they are not offering to WASH YOUR CAR - that can be damaging to your car and result in charges from your rental company).
"Watchee?" or "
¿se lo cuido?" (sounds like may low KWEE-dough") are the words often heard, and if you are not sure, you can say "may low KWEE-dah?" (will you take care of it for me?) Soemtimes, this helps prevent theft; sometimes it helps prevent vandalism by the kid(s) you told to bugger off. Either way, uh, yes, this may be worthwhile. Let them know you will pay them when you return and give them a general idea of when that will be. If there seems to be an obvious hierarchy, it may pay to address the top dawg. If you think this is subtle extortion, OK, maybe it is - it's often a version of the "protection" racket, and for a few cents, you do want it.
In some cases, there's a
"tamarindo" - a guy who may or not be an actual traffic cop - acting as parking warden, usually in some type of khaki uniform, sometimes with badges (which may not even be local police or traffic badges); sometimes he may be disabled, often not. They will help you park (guide you as you back in, etc.) and are definitely worth a smile and a few pesos on your return. I usually feel quite comfortable with these people, self-appointed or not, they are still sanctioned by te locals, including the police (who may require daily kickbacks).
OTOH, if you see a pay lot, it's almost always more secure and worthwhile. "ESTACIONAMIENTO" is what you are looking for, often worth a few pesos to use.