Should the ETC card chip face inward or outward?

[StephenMarie]

ECT card chip faces outward. ETC installation process is as follows: Upon receiving the device, first check whether the ETC card and electronic tag (OBU) are damaged. Press the anti-tamper button on the back of the OBU, the red light will briefly light up, and the OLED screen will display "Tag Invalid" or "Please Insert Card", indicating the device is functioning normally. Clean the front windshield to ensure the glass surface is smooth, clean, and dry. Then peel off the adhesive backing film of the OBU and stick it to the installation position. Press firmly with your hand for 2-3 minutes to remove any air bubbles. Insert the ETC card with the front side facing the driver and the back side facing the front glass. The chip should be inserted into the OBU device. ETC activation method: Insert and remove the ETC card twice in succession until the electronic tag screen displays "Bluetooth On". If "Tag Invalid" appears when inserting and removing twice without the electronic tag attached, this is normal and does not affect activation. Alternatively, you can directly press the button on the top of the electronic tag to enable Bluetooth. Turn on your phone's Bluetooth, open the corresponding mobile APP (usually there is a download QR code on the electronic tag), and enter the device activation interface. Click on device connection and wait patiently for the "Connection Successful" prompt. After successful connection, upload a photo of the vehicle's front to complete activation.

[VanReagan]

I was also confused when installing the ETC before, but later realized that as long as you remember to align the chip towards yourself, it's correct. The first time I installed it, I faced the golden chip outward, and the toll station couldn't recognize it at all, leaving me stuck in the lane unable to move forward or backward. Later, a maintenance technician told me that the sensor module of the card reader is on the inner side of the device, so the chip must face the interior of the car to make contact. Now every time I insert the card, I make sure the side with the metal chip faces the driver's seat and push it all the way in until I hear a 'beep'. By the way, a reminder: the edges of the card can easily get scratched, so be gentle when inserting and removing it. If you frequently drive long distances, it's best to check the cleanliness of the contacts every three months.

[LiamLynn]

Last week, I helped my elderly neighbor install an ETC device. The old man tried inserting the card four or five times. I told him to feel the side with the metal chip and insert it like a bank card, with the metal side facing up and inward. Take a close look at the card slot in the device—there are several tiny metal spring pins inside that must make contact with the chip to power up and read it. If inserted backward, the device screen won’t light up, and the chip may get damaged. Remember not to leave right after installation; connect to the ETC device via Bluetooth on your phone to activate and test it. It’s successful only when the card number and expiry date are displayed. You’ll hear a clear click when the card is fully inserted, and it should protrude just 2-3 millimeters.

[HarmonyMarie]

Last month at the highway service area, I saw three cars stuck in the ETC lane, all because the cards were inserted backwards. Actually, the device manual clearly illustrates: when inserting the card, the chip must face towards the car's dashboard. The physical principle is simple—the card reader inside the device is fixed on the inner side. If the chip faces outward, the metal contacts won't reach the sensor. A mechanic shared a tip with me: after inserting the card, check if the device's green light stays on; a flashing red light means it's inserted backwards. Also, remember not to bend the card—if the chip gets scratched, you'll need a replacement, which is quite troublesome.