Can ETC be installed on a windshield with pockmarks?
2 Answers
ETC devices can be installed on the black dotted areas of the windshield, as long as they do not obstruct the driver's view and can detect the toll station's scanning equipment. However, installing ETC on the black dotted areas of the windshield has drawbacks, such as reduced solar charging capability, which may lead to the device running out of power over time. For small cars, the ETC installation position is generally in the upper-middle part of the front windshield, while for large vehicles like trucks and buses, the installation position is in the lower-middle part. The appropriate installation position should be at a height of no less than 1.2 meters and no more than 2.5 meters, with an installation angle between 30 and 90 degrees. If the vehicle has a factory-installed or aftermarket anti-explosion film, it may affect the signal transmission of the microwave communication link, so the ETC should be installed in the microwave window strip. Below are some ETC installation precautions: Do not obstruct the driver's view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have windshields with a significant backward tilt, which reduces the driver's field of vision. If ETC installation does not account for this, it may increase blind spots for the driver. Installing it behind the rearview mirror on the right side can help avoid obstructing the view. Do not interfere with charging: The ETC electronic tag consumes power but generally does not require manual charging or battery replacement because it has a built-in solar panel for self-charging. Therefore, during installation, avoid the black dotted areas of the windshield and positions that may block the solar panel. Once installed, do not remove it arbitrarily: The adhesive backing has a tamper-proof rod connected to a switch. After installation, the windshield presses the tamper-proof rod inward. If the device is removed arbitrarily, the rod will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. In such cases, you will need to visit an ETC service point to unlock it. This feature is designed to prevent multiple vehicles from sharing one device. ETC usage notes: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To avoid issues caused by the vehicle ahead having a faulty ETC device, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters from the vehicle in front to prevent accidental toll charges. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h; driving too fast may result in failure to read the vehicle's device information, leading to toll deduction failure. If using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may also cause toll deduction failure.
Small pits on the windshield may not necessarily affect ETC installation. I’ve installed these devices frequently and found that most pits are minor scratches or dust—unless there’s a major crack, the ETC adhesive can still hold firmly. The key is placement: the ETC must be mounted on the upper passenger side without obstructing the driver’s view or being outside the wiper’s reach. If the pits are too dense, the adhesive may weaken, increasing the risk of the device falling off while driving. In such cases, clean the glass first with a damp cloth and let it dry before attaching. Additionally, ETC relies on infrared or wireless signals, so pits won’t block transmission unless they’re large metal-impacted holes. Overall, minor pits aren’t a big concern—feel free to install, but for safety, test high-speed toll passage a few times after securing it.
