Can ETC be removed and reinstalled after installation?

[Dawson]

ETC can be removed and reinstalled after installation. However, the ETC device will become invalid if removed by yourself, as it 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 close. Therefore, you must bring your vehicle's registration certificate to the ETC service provider for reactivation. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line. Green and eco-friendly: Promotes low-carbon travel by allowing vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions, and minimizing pollution. Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by decreasing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, reducing wear and fuel consumption. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle passing 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 clearly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, the interoperability of transportation smart cards in key city clusters will be basically achieved, 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, the future will also promote the use of ETC for trucks and explore deeper integration of the ETC system with smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC usage. ETC billing principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, the computer network technology is used to settle accounts with the bank in the background. This achieves the purpose of vehicles paying toll fees without stopping at toll stations, all based on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Here are some precautions for installing ETC: Do not obstruct the driver's view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have windshields with a large rear tilt angle, which can reduce 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 does not need charging or battery replacement, as 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. 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 installation, the windshield will press the anti-tamper rod 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 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 fee deduction for the wrong vehicle. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h. If the vehicle speed is too fast, the system may fail to read the vehicle's device information, resulting in a failed fee deduction. When using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance can also cause the fee deduction to fail.

[MacReese]

ETC devices can indeed be removed and reinstalled after installation. I've personally done it several times with my own car. When first installed, it seemed extremely firmly attached, but when I wanted to reposition it later—whether due to changing cars or during car washing—I found it wasn't too difficult to handle. The key is knowing how to remove it properly. If the adhesive on the windshield isn't handled carefully, it might leave marks or damage the device. I usually use a hairdryer to blow hot air on the adhesive for a minute or two to soften it, then gently pry it off without applying too much force to avoid damaging the glass or internal circuits. When reinstalling, clean the glass surface again to ensure no dust or debris affects the adhesive. After removal and reinstallation, if the device still works, that's great, but some ETC devices may require reactivation at a bank or service point to restore full functionality, such as highway toll recognition. It's best not to remove and reinstall too frequently to avoid reducing the device's lifespan or causing minor issues. If you're unsure, it's safer to pay a small service fee (usually just a few dozen yuan) to have a professional installer handle it.