Can the ETC still be used after being removed and reinstalled?

[MacCassidy]

Once the ETC is removed from the car's windshield, it can no longer be used and must be reactivated by a professional. You can go to the original handling point or the provincial expressway ETC business hall to have it reinstalled and reactivated, after which it can be used normally in the ETC dedicated lane. This is because there is a button on the back of the ETC; once it is removed, the button will automatically pop out, and the information inside the ETC will be cleared, rendering it unusable. Where can the ETC be installed: For small vehicles such as 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, the installation position is in the lower middle part. ETC installation position requirements: the height should not be less than 1.2 meters or 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).

[EleanorFitz]

Last time when I got my car window tinted, the technician accidentally removed the ETC device. Surprisingly, it still worked after being reinstalled. The ETC base has a small button that pops out and locks the device when removed. If you're lucky and the button doesn't fully disengage, you can reattach it to the windshield and it'll continue functioning. But if it pops open completely, the device goes into sleep mode. I was fortunate that mine didn't deactivate after removal, though I've heard most devices become unusable once detached. If you need window tinting, it's best to visit the ETC service point beforehand to request professional removal - don't try prying it off yourself. I specifically tested mine for two consecutive days with normal deductions before feeling relieved. Still, I'd advise against self-removal unless it's an emergency and you're willing to take the risk.

[VanessaRose]

In our repair shop, we frequently encounter cases where ETC devices are damaged during film removal. When installing the ETC base, there's a small tab that presses against the windshield. Any movement can trigger the anti-tamper lock. If the film installer applies a bit too much force while peeling off the film, it can easily dislodge the tab, rendering 70-80% of the devices unusable. Just the other day, a car owner found their ETC device non-functional after removal. A service center inspection revealed the internal microswitch had shifted. In such cases, the only solution is to apply for a new device. We recommend carefully cutting an ETC-sized hole in the film using a scraper during installation, or visiting an ETC service center for professional removal beforehand.

[VonKatherine]

When colleague Xiao Wang got his new car tinted, the workers removed his ETC device. The next day at the toll gate, the barrier wouldn't lift. It turns out all ETC devices have an anti-tamper mechanism that triggers a self-lock when moved. There are two types of locks: a physical lock where a small spring in the base jams the circuit, and a software lock that automatically sends a signal to the server to deactivate. He had to spend half an hour at the service point to reactivate it before it worked again. Now, car owners getting tinting done first ask the technicians to carefully cut the film along the ETC's outline with a utility knife, avoiding removal altogether. This low-tech method turns out to be the safest approach.