Should the ETC card be removed when not in use?
3 Answers
The ETC card can be removed when not in use, but the ETC device will not function without it. According to the "Rules for the Use of Non-stop Fast Pass System," the ETC card must be inserted into the OBU device for normal operation; otherwise, user information cannot be read. If the card is removed, you can use the manual lane and have the staff swipe the card for you. When the ETC card is inserted into the OBU device, a prompt sound will indicate that the device is activated. Without the card, the device remains in a dormant state and cannot recognize vehicle information at toll stations. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is a specialized method for collecting tolls on roads, commonly used on highways, toll bridges or tunnels, and certain urban sections to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Deduction Principle: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's windshield-mounted electronic tag and the toll station's ETC lane antenna, computer networking technology is used for backend settlement with banks. This allows vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping, based on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues. Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by eliminating stops at toll stations. Cost-saving: Reduces vehicle wear and fuel consumption by minimizing frequent starts and stops. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle throughput by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council's "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" explicitly states the goal of "achieving interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters by 2020 and significantly increasing the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC." It also sets a target of "50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the 13th Five-Year Plan. Future possibilities: Beyond improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, future efforts will promote ETC adoption for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with smart transportation developments like vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, indicating more application scenarios supporting ETC usage.
As a driver who frequently takes long-distance trips, I generally don't recommend removing the ETC card. The card is designed to stay inserted in the small device mounted on the windshield, as constant removal may damage the contact points or card slot. Most ETC devices are either battery-powered or connected to the cigarette lighter for power, so removing the card doesn't necessarily save energy, but frequent handling may loosen the card and cause malfunctions. Keeping the card inserted allows for automatic toll deduction when passing through toll stations, saving time and avoiding mishaps. Unless your vehicle will be unused for several months or you're concerned about card theft (though the probability is very low), you can temporarily remove and lock it in the car—just avoid leaving it in direct sunlight. Remember to regularly check the ETC device's indicator light to ensure it's functioning properly and prevent any last-minute failures.
From the perspective of electronic device maintenance, the ETC card does not need to be removed most of the time. It features an integrated design where the card and onboard unit operate as one. Frequent insertion and removal may wear out the slot or cause poor contact, potentially increasing repair costs. For example, a friend of mine experienced this when frequent card removal led to sensor failure, ultimately requiring time-consuming repairs. As long as the device is securely installed and not knocked off, and the car is parked properly, there's usually no need for extra concern. However, in extreme cases such as prolonged parking during rainy weather or concerns about high temperatures damaging the card's internal structure, removing it is fine—but always power off the device first to avoid short circuits. In short, keeping the card in place generally offers more convenience, depending on personal driving habits.
