Must ETC be installed on transparent glass?
2 Answers
ETC can be used without being attached to the glass. Installing ETC on the upper part of the windshield is to minimize obstruction of the driver's view while ensuring better recognition by the equipment at highway toll stations. If you prefer not to install it on the glass, place it in an open area where it can be seen through the windshield. For small cars, the ETC is generally installed in the upper middle part of the front windshield, while for large vehicles like trucks and buses, it is installed in the lower middle part. The suitable installation position should be at a height of no less than 1.2 meters and no more than 2.5 meters, with an installation angle between 30 to 90 degrees. If the vehicle has a factory-installed or aftermarket explosion-proof film, it may affect the signal transmission of the microwave communication link, so it should be installed in the microwave window area. Here are some considerations for ETC installation: Do not obstruct the view; it's best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have windshields with a significant rearward tilt, which can reduce the driver's field of vision. Installing the ETC without considering this can increase blind spots. Installing it behind and to the right of the rearview mirror avoids obstructing the view. Do 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 blackened areas of the windshield or in positions that might block the solar panel. Do not remove it once installed: The adhesive button in the middle is an anti-tamper rod connected to a switch. Once the electronic tag is installed, the windshield will press the anti-tamper rod in. If removed arbitrarily, the rod will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. You will then need to visit an ETC service point to unlock it. This mechanism prevents multiple vehicles from sharing the same device. Things to note when using ETC: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To avoid issues caused by a malfunctioning ETC device in the vehicle ahead, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters to prevent automatic payment for the vehicle in front. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h; driving too fast may result in failure to read the vehicle's device information and thus failed payment. If using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may also cause payment failure.
Hey buddy, you're asking if ETC needs to be installed on clear glass? I've installed it several times myself, and it's pretty important. Most of the time, you should choose the transparent area of the windshield for installation, avoiding tinted or heavily colored films. Why? Because that little ETC box needs to 'communicate' with the highway equipment via RFID signals, and opaque glass can block the signal, sometimes causing it to fail completely. If you install it near the rearview mirror or on the side window, make sure it's clean and allows light through. The first time I installed it on tinted glass, it kept failing on the highway, so I had to move it later. Also, many ETC devices come with solar charging panels, relying entirely on light to charge, so installing them in opaque areas might drain the battery faster. Generally, the manual emphasizes choosing the central transparent area of the glass for stable operation. If your glass is heavily tinted, you can try getting a professional to cut a small hole for the tag. Anyway, installing it correctly saves a lot of hassle, especially for long trips—much safer that way.
