Is it necessary to remove the ETC card?

[SanReagan]

The ETC card can be removed, but the ETC device will not function without it. According to the "Rules for the Use of Non-Stop Fast Passage Systems," the ETC card must be inserted into the OBU device for normal operation; otherwise, user information cannot be read. If the card is removed, you can use the manual lane and have the staff swipe the card. When the ETC card is inserted into the OBU device, a prompt sound will indicate that the device is activated. Without the card, the device remains in a dormant state and cannot recognize vehicle information at toll stations, so removing the card renders the ETC unusable. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is a specialized method for collecting tolls on roads, commonly used on highways, toll bridges or tunnels, and certain urban sections to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Billing Principle: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's onboard electronic tag (installed on the windshield) and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, the system uses computer networking technology to settle payments with banks. This allows vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping, operating on a "pass first, deduct later" principle. Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues; Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by avoiding stops at toll stations; Cost-saving: Lowers wear and fuel consumption by reducing frequent starts and stops; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic flow by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, and more efficient compared to license plate payment systems. More policy support: The State Council's "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" explicitly states the goal of "achieving interoperability of transportation cards in key urban clusters by 2020 and significantly increasing the adoption rate of ETC in vehicles," with a target of "50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020." Future possibilities: Beyond improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC adoption for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation developments, offering comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners and expanding ETC application scenarios.

[OZoe]

As someone who has been driving for over ten years, I always leave my ETC card inserted in the device without removing it. The main reason is the concern that frequent insertion and removal might loosen the card slot, leading to poor contact and causing the device to fail to read the card. I've also heard from friends who reported that after inserting and removing the card a few times, the device started flashing red and couldn't recognize the card, requiring a trip to the bank for reactivation—what a hassle! The ETC system was designed for long-term fixed use, and the battery life lasts several years, as long as you don't leave it under direct sunlight for extended periods. In terms of security, although there have been rumors of small-scale fraudulent charges, nowadays ETC requires a bank-linked password, making it difficult for thieves to succeed. Overall, unless you're not driving for a long time or parking in a particularly unsafe neighborhood, it's more convenient to leave the card in place. After all, how convenient is it to just drive through the toll booth without any hassle?

[VonEthan]

As a daily commuter who frequently travels on highways, I never remove my ETC card. It automatically reads the card as soon as the car starts, and it’s quite a hassle to remove and reinsert it. Especially after a tiring day at work, who would bother fiddling with this little thing? The device itself is quite sturdy, and the official manual also advises against frequent handling. Once, I forgot to turn off the engine at a service station while refueling, but the card stayed in place without any erroneous deductions—truly reliable design. The only exception is when I’m away on business for more than two weeks without driving; I carefully remove it and store it in the car’s drawer to avoid losing the card or exposing it to high temperatures. But normally, I just leave it as is—simple and effortless. Just remember to regularly check if the device’s light is functioning properly.

[DiKyle]

I have some knowledge about automotive electronic devices, and it's perfectly fine to leave the ETC card inserted in the device for a long time. The key points lie in the card slot and chip – frequent removal may wear out the contact points, leading to unresponsive card reading over time, which would then require repairs. The device has a built-in lithium battery, so removing the card doesn't really save much power. If you're worried about accidental sensing, the ETC system has an automatic shutdown mechanism and basically goes into sleep mode after parking. Only in extreme cases, like parking your car overnight in a parking lot next to a toll station, should you consider removing the card to prevent accidental charges. But such scenarios are rare. I recommend car owners to just check the device once a year and not bother with removing the card.