Can the car ETC be removed after installation?

[MacBrady]

The ETC can be removed after installation. However, the ETC will become invalid if removed by yourself, as the ETC device has an anti-tamper function. There is a small switch on the back of the ETC electronic tag. Once it is peeled off the windshield, the internal switch will automatically shut off. Therefore, you must bring the vehicle registration certificate to the ETC service provider for reactivation. ETC Billing Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the highway. Through the 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, the computer network technology is used to settle accounts with the bank in the background, achieving the purpose of paying road and bridge tolls without stopping at the toll station. All of this is based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; 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, decreases the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, and reduces wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times or more, making traditional ETC updates faster 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 urban agglomerations will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will be significantly increased." It also explicitly set the goal in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development: "By 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles will reach 50%." More Future Possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, the future will also promote the use of ETC for trucks and explore the deep integration of the ETC system with the development directions of smart transportation, such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, to provide comprehensive travel services for car owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC applications. Precautions for Installing ETC: Do not obstruct the view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have a large rearward tilt angle of the windshield, resulting in a smaller 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, it does not need to be charged or have its battery replaced because there is a solar panel on the back that can charge itself. Therefore, during installation, avoid the black 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 the electronic tag is installed, the windshield will press the anti-tamper rod in. If removed arbitrarily, the anti-tamper rod will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. You will then need to go to an ETC service point to unlock it. This is designed to prevent multiple vehicles from sharing one device. Precautions for 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 sensing and paying for the vehicle in front. The recognition speed for ETC lane passage is 20 kilometers per hour. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle device information cannot be read, resulting in failed billing. When using a debit card to bind ETC, insufficient balance will also cause billing failure.

[VonLogan]

I just removed the ETC device because it needed to be relocated when changing cars. It can indeed be removed, but the process requires some technique. The device is attached to the windshield with strong adhesive, leaving glue residue after removal. I used alcohol and a rubber scraper to clean it up slowly. Be very careful during removal to avoid damaging the plastic casing or circuitry. After removing the device, you also need to pay attention to the payment account binding issue. The sensor inside the ETC may become ineffective if moved, requiring recalibration through the app or reactivation via customer service. I followed online tutorials step by step to get it done. If you lack experience, it's better to seek help from professionals at a service center. Additionally, for permanent removal, remember to unbind the account to avoid continued charges in the background. In short, safety comes first when handling this—don't rush.