How to Install an ETC Device in a Car?
3 Answers
The installation process for a car ETC device is as follows: Upon receiving the device, first check if the ETC card and the electronic tag (OBU) are damaged. Press the anti-tamper button on the back of the OBU; a red light will briefly illuminate, and the OLED screen will display "Tag Invalid" or "Please Insert Card," indicating the device is functioning normally. Clean the front windshield, ensuring the glass surface is smooth, clean, and dry. Then, peel off the adhesive backing of the OBU and stick it to the installation position. Press firmly for 2-3 minutes to remove any air bubbles. Insert the ETC card with the front side facing the driver and the back side facing the windshield, ensuring the chip is inserted into the OBU device. Where can the ETC be installed: For small vehicles like 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).
I installed an ETC device myself recently and found it quite simple. First, apply through your bank's app or visit a branch to get a card, and the staff will give you a small kit. Unpack it, take out the coin-sized OBU device, and find a spot near the rearview mirror on the windshield to clean. Make sure the installation location doesn’t block your view or get swept by the wipers—preferably stick it on the black ceramic dot area for better adhesion. Peel off the double-sided tape protector, press firmly for 30 seconds, then insert the ETC card until you hear a beep to activate it. The whole process takes about ten minutes, but remember to turn on your phone’s Bluetooth and calibrate it via the app to avoid unresponsiveness at toll stations.
I hate the hassle of installing ETC myself, so driving to the bank and letting their specialists handle it is the most convenient option. Just bring your vehicle registration and ID card, and they'll get it done at the counter in ten minutes. The most crucial part is choosing the installation location—avoid areas with metal layers in the anti-explosion film, or the signal will be intermittent. After sticking the device, avoid washing the car for three days to let the adhesive dry completely. Once activated, remember to position the solar charging panel facing outward, or the battery will drain quickly. Last time, I messed up the installation by misaligning the adhesive, and the device couldn’t read the card at toll gates, forcing me to pay in cash several times. Nowadays, these devices even come with anti-theft features—if removed, they need reactivation.
