Can ETC still be used after removal?

[McAdriel]

No, it cannot be used. The ETC device will become invalid if removed by oneself because it has an anti-tamper feature. There is a small switch on the back of the ETC electronic tag, which automatically turns off once the device is detached from the windshield. Therefore, you must take the vehicle's registration certificate to the ETC service provider for reactivation. ETC Billing Principle: There are 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, the system uses computer networking technology to settle payments with the bank, achieving the goal of vehicles passing through toll stations without stopping to pay tolls. All of this operates on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues. Green and eco-friendly: Promotes low-carbon travel by reducing noise and exhaust emissions since vehicles do not need to stop at toll stations. Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and stops, thereby reducing vehicle 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, the interoperability of transportation cards in key urban clusters should be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC should be significantly increased." The plan also set a target of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, efforts will also be made to promote ETC usage for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with smart transportation developments 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. Precautions for Installing ETC: Avoid obstructing the driver's view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror. Many car models have steeply angled windshields, which can reduce the driver's field of vision. Installing the ETC without considering this may increase blind spots. Placing it behind the rearview mirror on the right side helps 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 blacked-out areas of the windshield or positions that may block the solar panel. Do not remove it arbitrarily once installed: The adhesive in the middle has an anti-tamper rod connected to a switch. Once the electronic tag is installed on the windshield, the 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 prevents multiple vehicles from sharing one device. Things to note when using ETC: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To avoid issues caused by a faulty ETC device in the vehicle ahead, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters to prevent automatic payment for the vehicle in front. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h; driving too fast may result in failed fee deductions due to unreadable device information. If using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may also cause payment failure.

[DelDawson]

I often drive on highways, so I know all the tricks with ETC devices. That thing has double-sided tape on the back, right? Well, there's actually a mechanism hidden underneath. If you peel it off, the anti-tamper button on the back pops out, and the device automatically locks. Last time I accidentally knocked it off while washing my car, and I had to spend half a day at the bank branch to get it reactivated. The technician said although the new models can be activated via mobile now, the old devices still require the owner to bring ID to a service point for unbinding. So, don't get curious and peel it off—if it falls off, it's basically a brick. When taking highways, you'll have to obediently take a ticket and wait in long queues, which is such a waste of time.

[SanLuke]

As an enthusiast who frequently tinkers with car equipment, I've disassembled ETC devices from three different banks. The design is quite ingenious—the spring switch on the back automatically locks if it's detached from the glass by more than 2 millimeters. Forcing it back in place can easily crush the switch, causing permanent damage. My neighbor learned this the hard way when cleaning the windshield triggered the mechanism, leading to being stopped at a manual toll lane to pay back fees. It's advisable to call customer service before removal for reporting; some bank apps support remote reset operations. However, newer models now feature Bluetooth activation, while older units must be processed at designated service points.

[VanBlakely]

Last month, I just helped a friend deal with an ETC removal issue. Simply put, there's a gravity sensor at the bottom of the device—it automatically deactivates once detached from its installed position. We tried using a heat gun to remove it intact, but it still got locked. In the end, we had to visit the bank, where the counter staff used specialized equipment to unlock it in about ten minutes. The staff warned that unauthorized removal could trigger anti-theft protection, not only affecting usage but also potentially voiding the warranty. For removal, it's best to schedule it during window tinting or windshield replacement to avoid redundant work.