Should the ETC card be taken out when not in use?

[EmersonAnn]

The ETC card can be taken out when not in use. If the ETC card is frequently left in the OBU device, there may be a risk of unauthorized transactions. Removing it significantly improves security. Since ETC cards are chip-based, frequent insertion and removal may affect the chip's sensitivity. Therefore, it is recommended to remove the card only when it will not be used for an extended period. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road tolling system. It is specifically designed for toll roads and is commonly used on highways, toll bridges or tunnels, and certain urban road sections to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Billing Principle: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. The system uses microwave short-range communication between the vehicle's electronic tag (installed on the windshield) and the microwave antenna in the toll lane. This, combined with computer networking technology, enables seamless backend settlement with banks, allowing vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping. The principle is based on "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues. Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and emissions by minimizing vehicle stops at toll booths. Cost and wear reduction: Saves fuel and reduces wear and tear by decreasing frequent starts and stops. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically process vehicles 2-3 times faster, making traditional ETC systems more advanced and efficient. 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 Integrated Transportation System" explicitly states goals such as achieving interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters by 2020 and significantly increasing ETC adoption rates. The plan also sets a target of 50% ETC usage for passenger vehicles by 2020. Future possibilities: Beyond improving ETC convenience and passenger vehicle adoption, future efforts will focus on promoting ETC for trucks and exploring deeper integration with smart transportation initiatives like vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-infrastructure coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners and expand ETC application scenarios.

[VanJune]

Buddy, once the ETC card is installed on the windshield, there's no need to take it out every day. It sticks right there, automatically reading when you pass through toll stations—super convenient and hassle-free. After driving for so many years, I only take it out when selling the car or if the card malfunctions, which requires professional handling. Taking it out regularly just increases the risk of losing it or damaging the card slot. Once, out of curiosity, I took it out to check, forgot to put it back, and ended up stuck in a one-hour queue at the highway exit—totally regretted it. Modern devices are designed for long-term fixed placement; removing them offers no benefit and might even affect signal reception, leading to recognition failures. Bottom line: leaving it untouched is the safest bet—protects the device and saves you the trouble.

[JasperFitz]

As a practical driver who frequently uses highways, I can responsibly tell you that there's no need to remove the ETC card daily. Once installed, it stays fixed in place, smoothly scanning through toll stations each time. Removing it increases the risk of loss or poor contact with the card reader. At most, you might clean off some dust during routine maintenance, but there's no need to touch the card itself. Only remove it when replacing the card or for repairs. I've seen cases where people removed the card, placed it in a bag, and ended up bending it, forcing them to pay for a replacement. The device is linked to the vehicle's electrical system, and removing it might trigger a system alarm requiring reactivation—just unnecessary trouble. Driving is about efficiency; don't waste time on such trivial matters.

[AthenaMarie]

Kid, a veteran driver's advice: once you install the ETC card, don't mess with it. In our day, this wasn't a thing, but now with better tech, the card sticks to the windshield and works via antenna signals. Taking it out often leads to misplacing it or dropping it into gaps where you can't retrieve it, just causing more trouble. The device usually lasts for years—unless you wash the car too aggressively and get it wet, or transfer ownership when changing cars. Otherwise, leaving it untouched is safest. I rely on it for free queueing every week when driving to buy groceries. Remember, leaving it alone keeps it safe and hassle-free—less fuss means less hassle.