Must ETC be installed on the windshield?

[McBriella]

ETC must be installed in the center of the car's front windshield, directly behind the rearview mirror. Installing ETC on the upper part of the windshield minimizes obstruction of the driver's view while ensuring better recognition by highway toll station equipment. If you prefer not to install it on the glass, place it in an open area where it can still be visible through the windshield. For passenger cars, the ETC installation position is generally in the upper middle part of the front windshield, while for large vehicles like trucks and buses, it is installed in the middle-lower part. The appropriate installation position should be no lower than 1.2 meters and no higher than 2.5 meters, with an installation angle between 30 to 90 degrees. For vehicles with factory-installed or aftermarket explosion-proof film, which may affect microwave signal transmission, ETC should be installed on the microwave window strip. Here are some precautions for installing ETC: 1. Avoid obstructing the view—installing it behind the rearview mirror is ideal: Many car models have windshields with a significant rearward tilt, which can reduce the driver's field of vision. Installing ETC without considering this may increase blind spots. Placing it behind the rearview mirror on the right side helps avoid blocking the view. 2. Ensure it does not interfere with charging: The ETC electronic tag consumes power but generally does not require charging or battery replacement, as it has a built-in solar panel for self-charging. Therefore, avoid installing it on the windshield's blacked-out areas or positions that may block the solar panel. 3. Do not remove it arbitrarily once installed: The adhesive backing includes an anti-tamper rod connected to a switch. Once installed, the windshield presses the rod in. If removed, the rod pops out, triggering the switch and locking the electronic tag, rendering it unusable until unlocked at an ETC service point. This feature prevents multiple vehicles from sharing one device. 4. Usage tips: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To avoid paying for the vehicle ahead due to its faulty ETC device, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters. The ETC lane recognizes vehicles at speeds up to 20 km/h—exceeding this may cause read failures. If using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may also lead to payment failures.