Can ETC be removed after installation?

[ManuelFitz]

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. Once it is peeled off from the windshield, the internal switch will automatically shut off. Therefore, you must bring the vehicle's registration certificate to the ETC service provider for reactivation. ETC's charging principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the on-board electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane of the toll station, the computer network technology is used to settle accounts with the bank, achieving the purpose of paying road and bridge tolls without stopping at the toll station. All of this is 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: Low-carbon, as vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by reducing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: The efficiency of passing through ETC lanes can theoretically increase by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC more updated, faster, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council clearly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, the interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will be significantly increased." It also explicitly set the goal of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development. More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and increasing the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, the future will also promote the use of ETC for trucks and explore the deep integration of the ETC system with smart transportation development directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage. Precautions for installing ETC: Do not obstruct the view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have a large rearward angle of the windshield, which reduces the driver's field of vision. If this is not considered during ETC installation, it will increase the driver's 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, it does not need to be charged or have its battery replaced because there is a solar panel on the back that can charge itself. Therefore, during installation, avoid the black areas on 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-tamper rod connected to a switch. After the electronic tag is installed, the windshield will press the anti-tamper rod in. If it is removed arbitrarily, the anti-tamper rod will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. You will then need to go to an ETC service point to unlock it. This 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 prevent the ETC device of the vehicle in front from malfunctioning, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the vehicle in front to avoid automatic sensing and paying for the vehicle in front. The speed limit for ETC lane recognition is 20 kilometers per hour. Driving too fast may result in failure to read the vehicle's device information, leading to charging failure. When using a debit card to bind ETC, insufficient balance will also cause charging failure.

[StPreston]

I just removed my ETC last month, and boy was it stuck tight! The staff had originally used strong double-sided tape to attach it to the windshield. When I tried to pry it off myself, it left a whole patch of adhesive residue on the glass, which took forever to clean off. The button on the back of the device also popped out—turns out it was an anti-theft switch, and triggering it instantly locked and bricked the ETC. I had to go to an ETC service center to get a replacement, costing me over 300 yuan in unnecessary expenses. My advice: if you really need to remove it, use a thin wire to slowly cut through the adhesive or get it done professionally. After removal, remember to contact your bank to deactivate the device to avoid accidental charges. Bottom line—don’t mess with it unless necessary. Removing it once is not only a hassle but could also cost you extra money.

[LeCamilla]

As an auto repair technician, I've disassembled hundreds of ETC devices. The key is to prepare the right tools: plastic scrapers, adhesive remover, and alcohol wipes. First, cut off the power, then slowly pry the adhesive from the edges—never force it! If the sensor button at the bottom gets loose, the device will fail and require factory reset. Some newer car models come with factory-installed integrated ETC systems that can't be removed by yourself. For aftermarket devices, removing them leaves adhesive marks on the windshield—use a heat gun to soften before wiping clean. If transferring to another vehicle, you must visit a service center with the original vehicle documents. Actually, ETC devices are designed for one-time installation—repeated removal often causes malfunctions or signal issues.

[DianaRose]

The ETC on my old car hasn't been touched for three years since installation. During the last maintenance, the mechanic said the adhesive was almost deteriorated. When I asked if it could be removed, he warned that forcibly peeling it off might damage the solar panel, and the glue would bond even tighter when the glass gets hot in summer. Eventually, I decided to leave it as is and just cover it with a card to block the signal when not in use. If you really need to remove it, it's better to go to a professional shop where they can use adhesive remover to get it done in ten minutes and clean it up thoroughly. A reminder especially for those with windshield films - don't attempt removal yourself as you might ruin the film. ETC devices are designed with a lifespan of five to six years anyway, so you might as well wait until you change cars to deal with it.

[FrankDella]

Last time I was curious and wanted to practice by dismantling the ETC myself, but it backfired. I looked up tutorials online that said to heat the windshield, so I blasted it with a hairdryer and ended up scratching the plastic casing of the device when prying. The adhesive was as sticky as chewing gum, and after scraping for a while, it left a messy mark. Later, when I drove on the highway, I found that the toll booth couldn't recognize it. After taking it for repairs, I learned that the base had loosened, causing poor contact. The repair guy said that the new ETC models now come with GPS anti-theft features and will automatically deactivate if removed. To save money, you can buy a glue removal kit and do it yourself, but beginners can easily scratch the glass. He suggested taking photos to record the device number before starting and applying for deactivation via the WeChat mini-program immediately after removal.