Can I Unplug the ETC When Lending My Car to Others?
3 Answers
You can unplug the ETC card when it's not in use, but be careful not to remove the card during operation, as this may cause the ETC to malfunction. The ETC installation process is as follows: Upon receiving the device, first check if the ETC card and the electronic tag (OBU) are damaged. Press the anti-tamper button on the back of the OBU, and a red light will briefly illuminate. The OLED screen will display messages such as "Tag Invalid" or "Please Insert Card," indicating the device is functioning properly. Clean the front windshield to ensure the surface is smooth, clean, and dry. Then, peel off the protective film on the back of the OBU and stick it to the installation location. Press firmly for 2-3 minutes to remove any air bubbles. Insert the ETC card with the front side facing the driver and the back side facing the windshield, ensuring the chip is properly inserted into the OBU device. Where can ETC be installed: For small vehicles like cars and minivans, the OBU device should be installed in the upper middle part of the front windshield. For large vehicles like trucks and buses, it should be installed in the lower middle part. ETC installation requirements: The height should be no less than 1.2 meters and no more than 2.5 meters; the installation angle N should be between 30º and 90º (the angle between the surface of the electronic tag and the horizontal plane).
Yes, you can remove it. The ETC is your own property, so there's no problem at all in taking it off. Last time I lent my car to a friend for a highway trip, and he forgot to pay me back, which was quite awkward. Later, I learned to be smarter and removed the ETC before lending the car. Just be careful not to damage the small button on the back of the device, or you'll need to reactivate it. After removing it, your friend can use the manual lane to pay with cash or scan a code—after all, toll stations now accept Alipay, making it very convenient. It's best to clarify this with the borrower beforehand to avoid them queuing in the ETC lane only to find out it's unusable.
I think removing the ETC device is quite reasonable since it's linked to my own bank card. I always do this when lending my car to friends—just twist it gently to detach. After removal, I put it in the glove compartment or even take it home. This avoids two issues: first, I won’t have to cover the highway tolls my friend might incur, and second, it prevents accidental fraudulent charges by a cloned car (though the probability is low). If my friend has their own ETC card, they can insert and use it—a win-win. Just remind them to use the manual lane and handle the device carefully during removal to avoid damaging the windshield film.
