Nothing says "1980s domestic responsibility" like a manicured hand holding a key that looks like it could double as a defensive weapon. This ad is a masterclass in corporate "it's not us, it's you" energy—an oil company literally paying for a magazine spread to tell you to stop using their product so much. The slogan "Conservation. It's the thing to do" has the same vibe as a parent telling you to wear a coat because they don't want to hear you complaining later.
I especially love the technical advice about letting your engine "warm up." In 1980, starting a car in December was a spiritual ceremony involving three pumps of the gas pedal and a silent prayer to the alternator; now, we just remote-start our SUVs from the comfort of our heated blankets so we can drive half a mile for a single latte. It’s a relic of a time when "planning ahead" was a civic duty rather than something we pay a premium subscription fee to avoid.
Source: Better Homes & Gardens, December 1980.
