Can ETC be installed on the black area of the car windshield?
3 Answers
ETC devices can be installed on the black dotted area of the windshield, as long as they do not obstruct the driver's view and can sense the detection equipment of the toll station. However, installing the ETC device on the black dotted area of the windshield also has drawbacks, such as reduced solar charging capability, which may lead to power depletion 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 suitable 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 to 90 degrees. For vehicles with factory-installed or aftermarket anti-explosion films, which may affect microwave communication signal transmission, the ETC should be installed in the microwave window area. Here are some precautions for ETC installation: Do not obstruct the view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have windshields with a large rearward tilt angle, which can reduce the driver's field of vision. If this is not considered during ETC installation, it can increase the driver's blind spots. Installing it behind the rearview mirror on the right side can help avoid obstructing the view. Do not affect charging: The ETC electronic tag consumes power but generally does not require charging or battery replacement because it has a built-in solar panel for self-charging. Therefore, during installation, avoid the black dotted area of the windshield and positions that may block the solar panel. Do not remove it arbitrarily once installed: The button in the middle of the adhesive is an anti-removal lever connected to a switch. After installation, the windshield will press the anti-removal lever in. If the device is removed arbitrarily, the lever will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. You will then need to visit an ETC service point to unlock it. This feature is designed to prevent multiple vehicles from sharing one device. Things to note when using ETC: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To avoid paying for the vehicle in front due to its ETC device malfunction, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the vehicle ahead. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 kilometers per hour; driving too fast may result in failure to read the vehicle's device information and cause payment failure. When using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may also lead to payment failure.
Last time I installed an ETC, I specifically asked the installer about it. The dotted black area at the top of the windshield is called the ceramic frit, mainly for sunshading and concealing the rearview mirror base. This area contains many metal particles, which can weaken ETC microwave signal transmission. Once, a colleague stubbornly insisted on mounting it there, only to fail at the toll gate and have to reverse into a manual lane—utterly embarrassing. I recommend installing it at the edge of the black area or the clear zone to the right of the rearview mirror. I left at least three fingers’ width of space, cleaned the spot with alcohol before sticking it, and it hasn’t fallen off in two years, with super-fast response at toll gates. Don’t test fate with signal interference—one mishap is enough to learn the lesson.
The black border on the windshield is actually called frit, mainly to block UV rays and protect the rubber seals. ETC signals are transmitted via microwaves, similar to how a router penetrates walls. Metal particles can affect signal penetration. I've seen cases where installation in this area caused the gate to not respond, and it only worked after reinserting the card. Personal suggestion: test the spot with your phone before installation—turn on hotspot mode and place it there. If the signal drops by two bars, avoid installing there. The optimal position is below the frit, to the right of the rearview mirror base, but not too close to the metal roof. Temperature changes in the glass can affect adhesive lifespan—it bonds strongest after being exposed to summer heat.
