Can the ETC device be used after reinstallation if it falls off?
2 Answers
No, the ETC device will become invalid once it is removed by yourself because the ETC device has an anti-tamper function. There is a small switch behind the ETC electronic tag, and once it is peeled off from the windshield, the internal switch will automatically shut off. Therefore, you must take the vehicle's registration certificate to the institution where you applied for the ETC to reactivate it. ETC charging principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the highway. Through the dedicated short-range microwave communication between the on-board electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane of the toll station, the computer network technology is used to conduct background settlement with the bank, achieving the purpose of vehicles not needing to stop at the bridge toll station to pay the bridge toll. All of this is based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of installing ETC: Save time: eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and environmentally friendly: green and low-carbon, vehicles pass through the toll station without stopping, which can reduce noise and exhaust emissions and reduce pollution; Save wear and tear: save costs, reduce the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, reduce wear and fuel consumption, and users can also enjoy a 5% discount on tolls; Improve efficiency: the theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC updates faster and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and has more advantages. 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 interconnection of transportation cards in key urban agglomerations will be basically realized, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will be significantly increased," and clearly proposed in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development that "by 2020, the ETC usage rate of road passenger vehicles will reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the usage rate of ETC passenger vehicles, in the future, the use of ETC for trucks will also be promoted, and the deep integration of the ETC system with the development direction of smart transportation such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination will be explored, providing car owners with comprehensive travel services. This means that more application scenarios will support ETC applications. Here are the precautions for installing ETC: Do not block 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 when installing the ETC, it will increase the driver's blind spot. Install it behind the rearview mirror on the right side of the car to avoid blocking the view. Do not affect charging: The ETC electronic tag needs power, but generally does not need to be charged or have its battery replaced because there is a solar panel on its back that can charge itself. Therefore, when installing, avoid the black area on the windshield and do not install it in a position where the solar panel is easily blocked. Once installed, do not remove it at will: The button in the middle of the adhesive is an anti-tamper guide rod, which is connected to a switch below. After the electronic tag is installed, the windshield will press the anti-tamper guide rod in. If it is removed at will, the anti-tamper guide rod will pop out and trigger the switch, and the electronic tag will be locked and cannot be used. You will need to go to the 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 area is 8 meters. To prevent the ETC device of the car in front from malfunctioning, keep a distance of more than 10 meters from the car in front to prevent automatic sensing from paying for the car in front; The recognition speed of the ETC lane is 20 kilometers per hour. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle equipment information cannot be read, which will lead to charging failure; When using a debit card to bind ETC, insufficient balance will also lead to charging failure.
As a seasoned driver who frequently takes road trips, I've had my on-board ETC device fall off once or twice before. After reinstallation, I found it sometimes worked and sometimes didn't. That time when I pulled over at a highway service area to check, the ETC had fallen onto the seat. I reattached it to the original position on the windshield using strong double-sided tape, but when passing through the toll gate, the barrier didn't respond. Later I learned that many ETC devices have anti-tamper designs - once moved from their position, internal sensors trigger a protective lock. I went to an ETC service point for reactivation, which took just minutes and was free of charge. If the device itself hasn't suffered cracked casing or circuit damage from the fall, it remains fully functional after reinstallation, but positioning is crucial - don't place it too far off-center to avoid weak signals. My advice to vehicle owners: if your ETC falls off, first inspect for cracks or scratches. If intact, simply reattach it properly and immediately call customer service for reactivation. During normal driving, pay attention to bumpy road sections, regularly check adhesive aging, and don't let minor neglect cause major travel disruptions.
