Can ETC be removed after installation?
3 Answers
ETC can be removed after installation. However, removing the ETC device by yourself will render it invalid because the ETC device has an anti-tamper feature. There is a small switch on the back of the ETC electronic tag, and once it is peeled off from the windshield, the internal switch will automatically close. Therefore, you must take the vehicle's registration certificate to the ETC service provider for reactivation. ETC Billing Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, the system uses computer networking technology to settle payments with the bank. This allows vehicles to pay tolls without stopping at the toll station, all based on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line. Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by allowing vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping, thereby lowering pollution. Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing vehicle acceleration and braking frequency, reducing wear and fuel consumption. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council explicitly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, intercity transportation cards will be widely used in key city clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a target in the "13th Five-Year Plan" for comprehensive transportation development: "By 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles should reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC usage for trucks and explore deeper integration of the ETC system with smart transportation developments such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC. Precautions for Installing ETC: Avoid obstructing the driver's view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror. Many car models have windshields with steep angles, which can reduce the driver's field of vision. Installing ETC without considering this may increase blind spots. Installing it behind the rearview mirror on the right side can avoid obstructing the view. Do not interfere with charging: The ETC electronic tag requires power but generally does not need charging or battery replacement because it has a solar panel on the back for self-charging. Therefore, avoid installing it on the blackened areas of the windshield or 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-tamper rod connected to a switch. Once installed on the windshield, the anti-tamper rod is pressed in. If removed arbitrarily, 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 feature is designed to prevent multiple vehicles from sharing one device. Notes for Using ETC: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To avoid paying for the vehicle in front due to its faulty ETC device, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters from the vehicle ahead. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h; driving too fast may result in failed billing due to the system's inability to read the vehicle's device information. If using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may also cause billing failure.
As an experienced car owner with many years of driving, I can certainly share some tips. The ETC device is usually attached to the inside of the windshield with strong adhesive, and it can definitely be removed. For example, when changing cars or wanting to reposition it, many people choose to do it themselves. The method is quite simple: use a credit card or plastic card to slowly pry the adhesive tape from the edge, avoiding hard objects to prevent scratches. After removal, there might be adhesive residue left on the windshield, which I easily removed with alcohol wipes. If the device itself isn’t damaged, it can be kept as a spare, but it will need reactivation or contacting the ETC service point to update information, as the signal might be interrupted. The last time I removed it was when selling my car, and the process took just a few minutes—easy and straightforward. Overall, removing the ETC isn’t difficult, but you should handle it gently to avoid dropping and damaging the device. If the adhesive is accidentally ruined, a replacement tag costs just a few dozen yuan.
From a technical perspective, the internal structure of ETC devices is not complex, making complete removal feasible. The device is primarily adhered to the windshield with adhesive, and it's advisable to use plastic tools for careful prying during operation to avoid scratching the screen or device casing. After removal, it can be properly shut down for storage, but since the battery relies on solar charging, prolonged detachment will drain the power, necessitating prompt reinstallation for reactivation. Through testing, I've found that removing the tag doesn't affect the internal chip's functionality, and the signal can persist for several hours under strong light. If reinstalling on another vehicle, a visit to the bank or ETC service point may be required to update settings. The device isn't as delicate as imagined, as long as excessive force isn't used during handling. Reasons for removal vary, such as obstructed visibility or device aging. I recommend first understanding the device model; common Chinese ETC tags are lightweight and easy to remove. Throughout the process, take care not to damage the adhesive layer, as this could impair future use.
