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.

[VanStella]

I remember specifically asking about this when installing the ETC. The staff said it's best to stick it on the small black dot area on the windshield, mainly to keep the solar panel charged. My cousin's Lexus has it placed on the dashboard, and it often runs out of battery during long trips, forcing him to roll down the window and take out the card at toll booths, which is really troublesome. Actually, having anti-explosion film on the glass isn't a big deal, just avoid the heating wire areas. When sticking it, you need to press firmly for about half a minute. If the device falls off on the highway, it's genuinely dangerous. Once I saw the ETC from the car in front of me clatter to the ground, and the car behind almost rear-ended them.

[AvaFitz]

Helped a friend with ETC installation before. Actually, the regulation requires mounting on the windshield mainly for three reasons: solar power needs sunlight, signal transmission can't be obstructed, and to prevent unauthorized movement triggering anti-theft lock. Saw someone install the OBU on the dashboard corner - failed to read 3 out of 10 times at toll gates. Window tinting isn't a big issue either, my own car has metallic film and still works fine. If you really don't want to stick it on glass, there are special brackets sold online, but you must ensure the device doesn't wobble, the solar panel faces upward and remains fully exposed.

[KeiraRose]

Last time during maintenance, I heard the technician talking about ETC installation. The windshield has a special metal coating that works with the signal reception, which is much more stable than sticking it on the dashboard. For modified cars or RVs where it's inconvenient to attach it to the windshield, regular battery checks are necessary. Once, I drove my dad's old convertible with the ETC placed in front of the glove box, and it actually crashed after being exposed to 37-38°C heat. When installing, make sure the adhesive is evenly applied and avoid the fog sensor—misalignment might affect the front-view camera. I heard some insurance companies won’t cover accidents caused by improper installation, so that’s something to watch out for.

[NevaehDella]

Highway driving experience over a decade: Mounting ETC on the windshield is the most hassle-free option. Installing it on the dashboard exposes the device to 60-70°C summer heat, leading to premature failure. A colleague's Tesla Model 3 has it on the glass roof—still functional in tunnels but creates glaring reflections at night. The top right corner of the windshield is actually ideal, maintaining visibility while allowing easy charging. If relocating, remember three rules: never obstruct the driver's view, keep the solar panel horizontally upward, and maintain at least 5cm distance from metal objects.

[ClaireAnn]

Experienced the embarrassment of ETC device being installed in the wrong position. Initially stuck it behind the rearview mirror, but the signal was always blocked. Later moved it to the lower right corner, only to find the wiper arm hitting the device during rain. Finally solved the problem by installing it in the black dotted area on the windshield as instructed in the manual. For metal heat insulation films, just cut a 10cm square opening. A little tip: clean the glass with alcohol before installation, and only stick the device after seeing the green light to avoid rework. Remember to wipe dust off the solar panel before long trips.