Can ETC be used immediately after installation?
3 Answers
Newly installed ETC cannot be used right away; the ETC device must be activated before normal operation. For passenger cars, the ETC is typically installed in the upper middle part of the front windshield, while for large vehicles like trucks and buses, it is installed in the lower middle part. The appropriate 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 factory-installed or aftermarket anti-explosion film, which may interfere with microwave communication signals, the ETC should be installed in the microwave window strip. Below are precautions for ETC installation: Do not obstruct the driver's view; it's best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have windshields with a steep incline, which can reduce the driver's field of vision. If this is not considered during ETC installation, it may increase blind spots. Installing it behind the rearview mirror on the right side helps avoid obstructing the view. Avoid affecting charging: The ETC electronic tag consumes power but generally does not require charging or battery replacement, as it has a built-in solar panel for self-charging. Therefore, during installation, avoid the blackened areas of the windshield and positions that might block the solar panel. Do not remove the device arbitrarily once installed: The adhesive in the middle has an anti-tamper lever connected to a switch. Once the ETC tag is installed, the windshield presses this lever in. If removed arbitrarily, the lever will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. In such cases, you would need to visit an ETC service point to unlock it. This mechanism is designed to prevent multiple vehicles from sharing one device. Notes for using ETC: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To avoid issues caused by the preceding vehicle's faulty ETC device, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters from the vehicle ahead to prevent automatic payment for that vehicle. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h; driving too fast may result in failure to read the vehicle's device information and cause payment failure. If using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may also lead to payment failure.
I just installed an ETC device in my car, but it can't be used immediately after installation. You need to activate it and link a bank card first, either at a bank or through an online platform. For example, you need to bind it with an Alipay account or a bank card. Otherwise, the toll system won't recognize it, and you'll face an awkward situation at highway toll gates, wasting time. I recommend activating it right after installation. Bring your vehicle license to a service point to complete the process and test whether the ETC device is responsive. If the signal is weak, you might get stopped by the toll collector. Also, always check your card balance before driving—don’t end up like me last time when I forgot and had no money in the card, resulting in a fine. It’s such a hassle. ETC saves time and money when used properly, but activation is the first step—don’t overlook it.
Installing an ETC device is for convenience, but it must be activated and linked to a payment method before use. As an automotive electronics enthusiast, I've studied how ETC works—it identifies vehicles via RFID technology, and activation is the key step to synchronize data. Typically, you need to visit a bank or use an app to set up account information; otherwise, the device remains idle, and the system won't respond at toll gates. Once, my ETC wasn't activated in time, causing a signal test failure that delayed my trip. Don't forget to check if the device is properly positioned to avoid signal interference, ensuring smooth automatic deductions and discounts post-activation. The activation process is simple and takes just minutes, but don't overlook it—it affects overall performance.
