Where should the truck ETC be installed?
3 Answers
Truck ETC installation position is in the middle-lower part. ETC installation requirements: height not less than 1.2 meters, not higher than 2.5 meters; installation angle N should be between 30º-90º (the angle between the electronic tag surface and the horizontal plane). ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing area is 8 meters. When encountering a stationary vehicle ahead, to prevent the front vehicle's ETC device from malfunctioning or having no ETC device at all, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the front vehicle to avoid automatic sensing and payment for the front vehicle. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20km/h. If the vehicle speed is too fast, the vehicle device information cannot be read, which will also lead to charging failure. Unauthorized disassembly or movement of the OBU device, ETC electronic tag falling off or loosening, etc., will cause the electronic tag to fail. It can be sent to the bank that issued the ETC card or the highway service office for testing. For non-human caused loosening or falling off, only reactivation is needed.
I've been driving trucks myself for nearly twenty years. The ETC device must be mounted on the inner center of the front windshield, usually right below the rearview mirror, as that position directly faces the toll station's sensor for optimal signal reception. If it's installed crookedly, placed on the black dotted area, or near metal edges, the toll station might fail to scan it, leading to passage failure or repeated deductions, which affects driving efficiency. Before installation, clean the glass with alcohol to remove dust and ensure the adhesive sticks firmly, then press it flat to avoid air bubbles. Poor placement may also obstruct the driver's view, increasing driving risks. I've seen many drivers encounter issues due to misalignment, which were only resolved after repositioning, so taking time to locate it correctly can save a lot of trouble. Regularly checking if the adhesive is loose is also a good practice.
Recently, I installed an ETC for my new truck, which was quite a fresh experience. Before installation, I watched many online videos that all suggested placing it on the upper middle part of the windshield, near the rearview mirror. I chose a centered position, worried that placing it too low or too high might affect the signal. The installer guided me to quickly stick it on and smooth it out to remove any bubbles. With the correct position, the toll booth recognized it smoothly during testing, saving me queuing time. If the position isn't chosen well—like placing it on the side or with dirt—the adhesive might not hold, leading to detachment or detection failure. I feel that a well-positioned ETC makes it more reliable and gives me peace of mind while driving.
