Should the ETC be unplugged when not in use?
4 Answers
There is no need to unplug the ETC. If the ETC is removed by itself, it will become invalid because the ETC device has an anti-tamper function. There is a small switch on the back of the ETC electronic tag. Once it is peeled off the windshield, the internal switch will automatically close. Therefore, you must take the vehicle's registration certificate to the ETC service provider for reactivation. The principle of ETC charging: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the highway. Through the dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane of the toll station, the computer network technology is used to settle accounts with the bank, achieving the purpose of paying road and bridge tolls without stopping at the toll station. All of this is based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and environmentally friendly: green and low-carbon, vehicles pass through the toll station without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: saves costs, reduces the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, and lowers wear and fuel consumption. However, the discounts offered by each bank vary, so the extent of the discount may differ. Before applying, you can inquire about the discounts at various bank branches; Improved efficiency: the efficiency of passing through ETC lanes can theoretically be increased by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, newer, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council clearly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, the interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will be significantly increased." It also explicitly set the goal in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the "13th Five-Year Plan" period to "achieve a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the usage rate of ETC passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote the use of ETC by trucks in the future. The deep integration of the ETC system with the development directions of smart transportation, such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, will be explored to provide comprehensive travel services for car owners. This means that more application scenarios will support ETC applications. Precautions for installing ETC: Do not obstruct the view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have windshields with a large rear tilt angle, which reduces the driver's field of vision. If this is not considered during ETC installation, it will increase the driver's blind spots. Installing it behind the rearview mirror on the right side can avoid obstructing the view. Do not interfere with charging: The ETC electronic tag requires power, but generally, it does not need to be charged or have its battery replaced because it has a solar panel on the back that can charge itself. Therefore, during installation, avoid the black areas on the windshield and positions that may block the solar panel. Do not remove it arbitrarily once installed: The button in the middle of the adhesive is an anti-tamper guide rod connected to a switch. After the electronic tag is installed, the windshield will press the anti-tamper guide rod in. If it is removed arbitrarily, the anti-tamper guide rod will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. You will then need to go to an ETC service point to unlock it. This is designed to prevent multiple vehicles from sharing one device. Precautions for using ETC: The ETC transaction sensing area is 8 meters. To prevent the ETC device of the vehicle in front from malfunctioning, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the vehicle in front to avoid automatic sensing and paying for the vehicle in front. The speed for ETC lane recognition is 20 kilometers per hour. Driving too fast may result in failure to read the vehicle's device information and cause charging failure. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance will also lead to charging failure.
I recommend unplugging your ETC device when not in use. Why? Because ETC devices are typically connected to the car's cigarette lighter or power outlet, drawing a small amount of current continuously, even when the engine is off. If your car is parked for an extended period, say a week or longer, this could gradually drain the battery, potentially leaving you unable to start the car. I've experienced this myself—returning from a business trip to a car that wouldn't start was quite a hassle. Unplugging it is simple; no tools are needed—just remove and store it properly. This not only saves power but also helps prolong battery life. If you drive frequently, occasionally leaving it plugged in may not cause issues, but making it a habit is safer to avoid unnecessary trouble. Remember, regularly checking your car's battery condition is also important.
Regarding whether to unplug the ETC device, I think it mainly depends on your car usage. I've been using it all year round and hardly ever unplug it because it's quite convenient—automatically deducting fees at toll stations, saving time and effort. If you frequently drive short distances or use your car daily, constantly plugging and unplugging it can be a hassle. However, if you plan to leave your car unused for an extended period, such as going on vacation for more than two or three weeks, you should definitely unplug it; otherwise, the battery might gradually drain. The device itself is quite durable, so there's no need to worry about frequent plugging and unplugging damaging it. In short, just weigh the convenience against the risks and don’t be too lazy to manage it.
From a device maintenance perspective, ETC still consumes power in standby mode. Although the power consumption is designed to be very low, if left unplugged for more than 10 days, the cumulative power drain may cause the battery voltage to drop. I recommend unplugging the ETC when the vehicle is idle for extended periods, especially during winter or hot seasons, to extend the device's lifespan and battery health. The operation is simple—just unplug it and store it in a cool, dry place. If you drive daily, there's no need to worry; occasional checks will suffice. This habit helps avoid unexpected malfunctions, as no one wants to deal with a dead battery in the middle of the night.
