Most gas station vacuums work by being plugged into an outlet, which powers a small motor. This motor turns a fan, which creates suction. This suction pulls dirt and debris from the floor and into the vacuum’s bag or canister.
Some gas station vacuums are coin-operated. These vacuums typically have a timer, so you can vacuum for a set amount of time. To start the vacuum, you insert a coin into a slot. The vacuum will run for the amount of time that corresponds to the coin you inserted.
Some coin-operated gas station vacuums require you to hold down a button while the vacuum is running. Other coin-operated vacuums have a handle that you must hold in order to keep the vacuum running.
No matter what type of gas station vacuum you use, be sure to empty the bag or canister when it gets full. Otherwise, the vacuum will lose suction and will not work as well.