Is it okay for someone to unplug the ETC when borrowing a car?

[DeEliza]

You can remove the ETC card when it is not in use, but be careful not to unplug the card during operation, as this may cause the ETC to malfunction. The ETC installation process 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, and the red light will briefly illuminate. The OLED screen will display messages such as "Tag Invalid" or "Please Insert Card," indicating that the device is functioning properly. Clean the front windshield to ensure the glass surface is smooth, clean, and dry. Then, peel off the adhesive backing of the OBU and attach 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 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, it should be installed in the lower-middle part. ETC installation requirements: The height should be no less than 1.2 meters and no 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).

[AlessandraLynn]

Regarding the issue of someone removing the ETC device when borrowing a car, I think it's not advisable. Once installed, the ETC device is fixed on the windshield, and randomly removing it may damage the adhesive or wiring on the back, causing it to loosen or even malfunction. The next time you use it, you'll have to reattach and reactivate the account binding, which is quite a hassle. If the device gets lost, it's even more troublesome—I'd have to apply for a replacement card or pay a replacement fee. The borrower might be worried about being charged, but since the ETC is linked to my credit card, the deduction won’t affect them; a simple heads-up would suffice. For safety and convenience, leaving the ETC as it is makes more sense—tampering with it only increases risks, especially during night drives when sudden issues could cause major delays.

[StElena]

It sounds worrying when someone unplugs the ETC device while borrowing a car. From a device protection perspective, it's not advisable. The device is designed to stay fixed in place, and forcibly removing it can damage internal antennas or card slots, affecting signal reception and potentially causing misreads or errors during highway toll collection. Not to mention, reinstalling it requires professional service, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and an unnecessary expense. If the borrower is concerned about costs, I usually proactively communicate: the ETC deductions are my responsibility, and if they need to pay tolls, they can use cash or mobile payments instead—why bother tampering with the device? Protecting the car's details is what truly ensures peace of mind on long trips.

[VincentFitz]

When I lend my car to others, I always advise them not to touch the ETC. Once it's installed, it's best to leave it as is. Removing it can cause minor issues, such as device damage or the need to rebind the account, which can be a hassle. If the borrower is concerned about charges, they should just say so, and we can discuss alternative payment methods—it's much simpler than fiddling with the hardware. Anyway, I never let others handle electronic devices; after all, no one wants unnecessary trouble, and keeping things as they are is the most worry-free approach.

[DiCaleb]

When someone wants to borrow my car, I make it clear not to remove the ETC device. Reinstalling it afterward is troublesome—requiring a service center to check and reactivate the binding status, possibly incurring extra fees or waiting time, which isn’t worth the hassle. The device itself is fragile, and improper handling may damage it, causing signal interruptions. In fact, ETC charges are billed to my card, unrelated to the borrower, so prior communication can easily prevent these issues. Lending a car is meant to help, but protecting the device details is equally important.