Where to Place the ETC on the Car Window?
2 Answers
The installation position of the ETC for small cars is generally in the upper middle part of the front windshield, while for large vehicles such as trucks and buses, it is installed in the lower middle part. The appropriate installation position should be no lower than 1.2 meters and no higher than 2.5 meters, with an installation angle between 30 and 90 degrees. For vehicles with anti-explosion film or those that have been retrofitted with anti-explosion film, which may affect the signal transmission of the microwave communication link, the ETC should be installed in the microwave skylight strip. ETC stands for Electronic-Toll-Collection, meaning electronic toll collection system. To apply for ETC, you need to provide the original and photocopy of the vehicle owner's valid ID card and vehicle registration certificate. If the application is not made by the owner, the agent must also bring their valid ID card. The photocopy of the vehicle registration certificate should include the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp. Additionally, a bank card under the personal name of someone aged between 18 and 60 is required for deducting highway tolls. Here are some precautions for installing ETC: Do not obstruct the view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have windshields with a large rearward tilt angle, which can reduce the driver's field of vision. If this is not considered during ETC installation, it can increase the driver's blind spots. Installing it behind the rearview mirror on the right side can help avoid obstructing the view. Do not interfere with charging: The ETC electronic tag consumes power but generally does not require charging or battery replacement because it has a solar panel on the back that can charge itself. Therefore, during installation, avoid the black areas on the windshield and positions that may block the solar panel. Once installed, do not remove it arbitrarily: The button in the middle of the adhesive is an anti-removal lever connected to a switch. After the electronic tag is installed, the windshield will press the anti-removal lever in. If the tag is removed arbitrarily, the lever will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. In such cases, you will need to visit an ETC service point to unlock it. This mechanism is designed to prevent multiple vehicles from sharing one device. When using ETC, note the following: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To prevent the ETC device of the vehicle in front from malfunctioning, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the vehicle ahead to avoid automatic toll payment for the wrong vehicle. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 kilometers per hour; driving too fast may prevent the system from reading the vehicle's device information, leading to a failed toll deduction. Additionally, insufficient balance on a debit card linked to ETC can also cause toll deduction failures.
I stuck my ETC device behind the rearview mirror in that dotted black area, which is the upper center part of the windshield. That spot doesn't obstruct the view while allowing the device to receive signals properly. Make sure not to place it off-center, otherwise it might not be recognized at highway toll stations - how embarrassing would that be? Last time I helped a friend install his ETC, he insisted on mounting it near the left A-pillar, and the gate reader kept failing. After we moved it behind the rearview mirror, it worked perfectly immediately. Also, be careful not to cover the solar panel - that small square should face outward, otherwise the battery might drain and you'll have to remove it for charging. Before sticking it on, thoroughly clean the glass and press firmly to secure it, or it might fall off on bumpy roads.
