Can I reattach and activate the ETC device myself after it falls off?

[Rudy]

No, you cannot use it. The ETC device will become invalid if it is removed by yourself or falls off on its own. This is because the ETC device has an anti-tamper feature. There is a small switch behind the ETC electronic tag, which will automatically shut off once the device is detached from the windshield. Therefore, you must take your 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, computer networking technology is used for backend settlement with the bank. This achieves the purpose of vehicles not needing to stop at toll stations to pay road and bridge fees, all based 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: 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. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can increase vehicle throughput 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 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" comprehensive transportation development indicators: "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 and increasing the ETC adoption rate for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC usage for trucks in the future. There will also be exploration of deep integration between ETC systems and smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure 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 driver's view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have windshields with a steep rearward angle, which can reduce the driver's field of vision. If this is not considered during ETC installation, it may increase blind spots for the driver. Install it on the right side behind the rearview mirror to avoid obstructing the view. Do not interfere with charging: The ETC electronic tag requires power but generally does not need to be charged or have its battery replaced, as 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 randomly 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 anti-tamper rod will be pressed in. If the device is removed, 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 prevent issues caused by the ETC device of the vehicle ahead, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters from the vehicle in front to avoid automatic payment for it. 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 billing failure. When using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may also lead to billing failure.