What are the methods to determine if the ETC status is normal?

[GenevieveLee]

To determine if the ETC status is normal, follow these steps: 1. Press and hold the anti-tamper switch on the back of the OBU device. The red light will flash once, and then the ETC electronic tag's screen will display "Tag Invalid" or "Please Insert Card." 2. Insert the ETC card into the ETC electronic tag. The driver will immediately hear a "beep" sound, and then the ETC electronic tag's screen will display "Debit Card" or "Amount." At this point, it indicates that the ETC device is in normal status.

[McMatthew]

As an ordinary car owner, I always take a quick glance at the small green light on my ETC device every time I get in the car. If it's emitting a steady green light, there's usually no problem. Before my last long-distance trip, I noticed the light wasn't on. I simply pulled out the card, wiped the metal contacts, and reinserted it, which fixed the issue. When passing through the toll station, hearing a beep and seeing my license plate and the toll amount displayed confirmed everything was working normally. If the device doesn't respond, I first try switching to another lane. Sometimes, if the battery is low, the device flashes a red light, which means it's time to visit a service point for a battery replacement. For those who don't drive often, it's a good practice to take the car out monthly and pass through an ETC lane to test the device.

[VonZachary]

Through my own small research, I found that the self-test lights on the ETC device during startup are crucial. Normally, the green light stays on steadily, while a flashing red light usually indicates an improperly inserted card or insufficient balance. The battery typically lasts about five to six years, and the device will beep an alarm when the voltage is low. Once, I opened it up to check if the battery contacts were oxidized, and sure enough, there was poor contact. Nowadays, scanning the device's QR code with the ETC service provider's app allows you to check transaction records, and it directly alerts you if a payment fails. When the outside temperature drops below -20°C, the device may temporarily malfunction, but this isn't considered a fault.

[LaTanner]

Having driven for over 30 years, my judgment on ETC is spot-on. When I sit in the driver's seat and turn the key, first I listen for the 'beep' sound when the device powers on, then I glance to see if the green light is on. If the toll gate barrier lifts instantly, everything's normal; if it doesn't lift immediately, I pull over to check if the card is inserted properly. Loose cards are quite common. My experience is to open the OBU cover and wipe off any moisture after rainy days. For older cars, poor contact in the car charger socket can affect the ETC power supply.

[DeMaggie]

Now I rely entirely on the ETC companion app to check status. Just open the app and tap 'Device Diagnosis' - it displays signal strength and account status in three seconds. During Bluetooth pairing, it automatically checks if the card balance is sufficient. Last month, the app alerted me that 'Device Maintenance Required', so I got a free base replacement at the expressway service point. Push notifications instantly show each toll deduction, with anomalies highlighted in red. You can even remotely report card loss or freeze the card - way more convenient than testing at toll booths.