What to Do If You Change Your Car with ETC?

[MaciFitz]

If you change your car with ETC, you should reapply at the bank. You cannot dismantle and transfer it to another vehicle by yourself, as this may lead to ETC fraud or evasion of toll fees. Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Avoid the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: Low-carbon solution, vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions, thereby minimizing pollution; Cost-saving: Reduce expenses, decrease the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lower wear and fuel consumption, and users can also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can increase by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC more updated, faster, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. Precautions for Using ETC: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle in front stops, to prevent issues with the ETC device or if the vehicle ahead has no ETC device, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters to avoid automatic payment for the vehicle in front. The speed limit for ETC lane recognition is 20km/h. Driving too fast may prevent the system from reading the vehicle's device information, leading to failed toll deductions. Unauthorized dismantling or moving of the OBU device, or if the ETC electronic tag falls off or becomes loose, may cause the electronic tag to fail. In such cases, take it to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service center for inspection. If the issue is not due to human error, reactivation may suffice. When using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may also result in failed toll deductions. Follow the guidance of on-site staff and use the manual MTC lane with cash or card payment. Thick car windshields may cause poor signal reception. This is particularly important for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or for those who have modified their front windshields.

[LeArianna]

When I changed cars, handling the ETC device was quite a process. I carefully removed the little box from my old car, making sure it was powered off to prevent electric shock and damage to internal components. Then, I called the ETC service center to report the change. The staff took down my old license plate number and details of the new car, uploaded the information, and it was all sorted out in a day or two. When installing it on the new car, the 4S shop guy helped test the signal to confirm everything was working before I drove off. Once, I procrastinated for a few days and almost had my card charged by the previous owner—luckily, I handled it in time to avoid trouble. Now, whenever I switch cars, I prioritize this task and also check the car battery to prevent unexpected ETC failures that could disrupt my travel plans. The whole process isn’t hard, but it requires attention to detail—just some wisdom from 10 years of driving.

[OCameron]

We often pass through toll stations during our daily commute, so it's essential to handle the ETC immediately after changing cars. Although I haven't been driving for long, I understand the simple steps: first, turn off the ETC power, carefully remove the device from the car without damaging the card. Then, update the vehicle information via a mobile app or at a service center by uploading the new car's documents. This time, I opted for the online service, which took only 20 minutes—quick and hassle-free. During installation, I could easily place it back under the front windshield and secure it myself. Interestingly, my accumulated benefits continued without interruption, saving me the hassle of queuing during commutes. A reminder to everyone: don’t delay to avoid ETC failure disrupting your plans—I once missed a business trip because of this.

[DelJessica]

I was a bit nervous when encountering ETC issues during my first car replacement. A friend suggested simply removing the device to avoid unsafe operations with electricity. I called customer service to explain the situation, and they guided me through submitting the new car's documents and photos for verification. Soon after, they reactivated the ETC system, and I drove to the store for a free installation and test. The whole process didn't cost a penny and went smoothly. Now I've learned this trick: when changing cars, just follow these four steps—remove, contact, install, and test—it saves a lot of hassle. My family also shared similar experiences, emphasizing safety first.