Should ETC be installed first or activated first?
2 Answers
ETC should be installed first and then activated, because ETC has an anti-tamper button, which is designed to prevent one ETC device from being used alternately between several vehicles. ETC is the abbreviation of Electronic Toll Collection. ETC is a non-stop electronic toll collection system, and the ETC dedicated lane is for vehicles equipped with an ETC on-board unit, using electronic toll collection methods. The ETC non-stop toll collection system uses dedicated short-range microwave communication between the on-board electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station. It utilizes computer networking technology to conduct background settlement processing with the bank, thereby achieving the purpose of vehicles passing through road and bridge toll stations without stopping while being able to pay toll fees.
I always feel that the sequence is crucial when dealing with ETC issues. Generally, I first install that small device, firmly attaching it to the front windshield, ensuring it's positioned directly opposite the toll station antenna. After that, I activate it, either through a mobile app or by visiting a service point to complete procedures like linking a bank card to make it functional. If I reverse the order—for example, attempting activation before proper installation—the device might fail to receive signals or start up, wasting time needlessly. I find ETC incredibly convenient; once installed and activated, driving on the road allows automatic fee deduction, eliminating the need to queue at highway toll booths to pay in cash, making it both safe and efficient. Nowadays, many people overlook installation details, such as failing to clean the windshield properly before attaching the device, which might cause it to fall off and disrupt post-activation usage. It's advisable to carefully read the manual or consult professionals beforehand to avoid any mishaps.
