Can the ETC device still be used if it falls off?
2 Answers
No, the ETC device will become invalid if it is removed by itself, as the ETC device has an anti-tamper function. There is a small switch on the back of the ETC electronic tag, which will automatically turn off once it is peeled off from the windshield. Therefore, you must take the vehicle's registration certificate to the ETC service provider for reactivation. ETC charging principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the highway. Through the dedicated microwave short-range communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane of 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 environmentally friendly: Green and low-carbon, vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Cost-saving: Saves costs, reduces the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowers wear and fuel consumption, and users can also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased 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 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 city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will be significantly increased." It also explicitly set the target of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development. More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, efforts will also be made to promote the use of ETC for trucks in the future. The deep integration of the ETC system with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-road coordination, and other smart transportation development directions will be explored to provide comprehensive travel services for car owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC applications. Below are 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 spot. Install it behind the rearview mirror on the right side to avoid obstructing the view. Do not interfere with charging: The ETC electronic tag consumes power, but generally, it does not need to be charged or have its battery replaced, as there is a solar panel on its back that can charge itself. Therefore, during installation, avoid the black areas on the windshield and do not place it where the solar panel is easily obstructed. Once installed, do not remove it arbitrarily: The button in the middle of the adhesive is an anti-tamper guide rod, 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 arbitrarily, the anti-tamper guide rod will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. You will 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 a failed fee deduction. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance will also cause the fee deduction to fail.
I also encountered a situation where the ETC device fell off while driving on the highway before. Once it falls off, it basically becomes useless because there's an anti-tamper switch on the back. As soon as it detaches from the windshield, it automatically locks. You'll notice that even if you stick the device back on, it still won't be detected when passing through toll stations, and the toll gate will display a "tag invalid" message. At this point, never try to open or tamper with it yourself. You must drive to a bank ETC service point or highway service center to have it reactivated. The most troublesome part is that improper handling could completely ruin the device, forcing you to pay for a replacement. Remember, when installing the ETC device, always choose a flat, long-term suitable spot on the windshield, avoiding areas with black dots (heating wires), and use the provided double-sided adhesive for a more secure attachment.
