How to Determine if ETC is Functioning Properly?

[Ray]

There are primarily two methods to determine if ETC is functioning properly: 1. Upon receiving the ETC device, first check for any damage to the ETC card and electronic tag. Press the anti-tamper button on the back of the OBU, and the red light will briefly illuminate. The OLED screen will display messages such as 'Tag Invalid' or 'Please Insert Card,' indicating the device is functioning normally. 2. If the ETC screen is malfunctioning or there is no response when pressing the top button, it may be due to a lack of power. In such cases, the device can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or to a highway service center for inspection. Additional Information: Unauthorized removal or relocation of the OBU device, detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, among other scenarios, can also cause the electronic tag to become invalid, with the screen displaying 'Tag Invalid.' In such cases, the device needs to be taken to an ETC bank branch or highway service center for handling. If the damage is not caused by human intervention, reactivation is usually sufficient.

[ORichard]

I've been driving for ten years and am very familiar with ETC. The simplest way is to observe the toll station's response: if the barrier lifts instantly when passing through and the deduction SMS arrives on time, the device is basically fine. When parking, just glance at the ETC device—if the green indicator light is on, you're good. If you encounter slow barrier lifting or abnormal toll station displays, quickly move your car to the service area and try reinserting the card. Don’t ignore loose or obstructed devices—last time, my ETC got stuck by the sun visor, and I was stopped at the station. Every month, check your bank card statement and the travel records in the ETC mini-program; consistent and complete deduction records are the most reliable.

[MacLiam]

Before every highway trip, I proactively test my ETC: Right after starting the car, I check if the green indicator light on the device is on. If not, I verify whether the card is inserted properly. When passing through toll stations, I deliberately choose ETC lanes and pay special attention to the information displayed on the electronic screen. If it shows 'Tag Removal' or 'No Tag', there's an 80% chance the device has shifted position. Nowadays, many banking apps offer ETC status checking features, so I review my account status every two weeks. Once, a friend's ETC malfunctioned because the adhesive melted from sun exposure, causing the device to loosen – proving installation location matters too.

[JuneLynn]

As a new car owner, I've summarized a three-step method: first, check if the ETC device's green light is constantly on; then, listen for the 'beep' prompt; finally, confirm the SMS notification. Always keep spare ETC batteries in the car as the card clip batteries tend to drain quickly. If the toll gate doesn't lift, don't force your way through—instead, reverse and use the manual lane for safer handling. Once, I received an expired SMS notification and later found out it was due to a faulty Bluetooth module in the device, which required factory repair to fix. It's recommended to get a free annual inspection at the service center.