Can ETC be installed without attaching it to the windshield?
3 Answers
ETC can be used without being stuck to the glass. Installing ETC on the upper part of the windshield is to minimize obstruction of the driver's view while ensuring better recognition by highway toll station equipment. If you don't want to install it on the glass, try to place it in an open position where it can be seen through the windshield. The installation position for small cars is generally in the upper-middle part of the front windshield, while for large vehicles like trucks and buses, it is in the lower-middle part. The suitable installation position should be no lower than 1.2 meters and no higher than 2.5 meters, with an installation angle between 30 to 90 degrees. For vehicles with anti-explosion film or those that have been retrofitted with it, which may affect microwave communication signal transmission, ETC should be installed in the microwave skylight zone. Here are some precautions for installing ETC: Do not block the view; it's best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have windshields with a large rearward tilt angle, which reduces the driver's field of vision. If ETC is installed without considering this, it may increase the driver's blind spots. Installing it behind the right side of the rearview mirror can help avoid obstructing the view. Do not interfere with charging: The ETC electronic tag consumes power but generally does not require charging or battery replacement because it has a solar panel on the back for self-charging. Therefore, during installation, avoid the blackened areas on the windshield and positions that may block the solar panel. Once installed, do not remove it casually: The adhesive in the middle has an anti-tamper rod connected to a switch. After installation, the windshield will press the anti-tamper rod in. If removed casually, the rod 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 is designed to prevent multiple vehicles from sharing one device. When using ETC, note the following: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To prevent the ETC device of the vehicle in front from malfunctioning, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the vehicle ahead to avoid automatic payment for the wrong vehicle. The recognition speed for ETC lanes is 20 kilometers per hour. Driving too fast may result in failure to read the vehicle's device information, leading to payment failure. When using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may also cause payment failure.
A friend asked me the same question just yesterday. He tried sticking his ETC device on the dashboard, but it failed to activate at toll gates every time. Eventually, he had to reattach it to the windshield as intended. Actually, the official design with those metal contacts requires direct contact with the glass to activate – installing it elsewhere might put the device into sleep mode. Solar panel placement matters too; mounting it on the dashboard risks shading from phone holders. Some enthusiasts have modified the device by rewiring and mounting it behind the rearview mirror, but this may disable the anti-tamper button and require reactivation. Personally, I think the simplest solution is following the manual's recommendation to install it in the top right corner of the windshield – after all, a device used daily on highways shouldn't be tinkered with too much.
I've been driving for over a decade and have used three generations of ETC devices. I genuinely don't recommend installing it anywhere other than the windshield. The solar panel on the back of that little box requires at least 2 hours of sunlight daily. If placed on the dashboard, the instrument cluster shading will prevent it from charging. Last time I saw someone stick it on the sun visor, but when they flipped the visor down, the whole device shifted and triggered the anti-tamper protection. Actually, there's quite a bit to consider about windshield installation - you need to avoid the black ceramic dots while keeping it at least 5cm away from the metal roof edge. Remember to ask an auto shop for help; they have levels to ensure proper alignment. If you stick it on haphazardly yourself and get unstable signals at toll gates, it'll be really awkward.
