Where to Place the ETC Tag?
2 Answers
The ETC installation position is generally in the upper middle part of the front windshield horizontally, while for large vehicles such as trucks and buses, the installation position is in the lower middle part. The suitable installation position should be at a height of no less than 1.2 meters and no higher than 2.5 meters, with an installation angle between 30 to 90 degrees. For vehicles with factory-installed or aftermarket explosion-proof films, 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, the vehicle owner must provide original and photocopies of their valid ID card and vehicle registration certificate. If the application is made by a proxy, the proxy's valid ID card is also required. The photocopy of the vehicle registration certificate should include the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp. A bank card for deducting highway tolls is required, and the vehicle must be registered under the name of an individual aged between 18 and 60. Documents required for company vehicles: An introduction letter from the vehicle owner (with official seal); photocopy of the organization code certificate or business license (with official seal); original ID card of the proxy; original vehicle registration certificate; the vehicle for which ETC is to be applied. Below are the precautions for ETC installation: Do not obstruct the driver's view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have a large tilt angle of the windshield, resulting in a smaller driver's field of vision. If this is not considered during ETC installation, it will increase the driver's blind spot. Install it behind the rearview mirror on the right side to avoid obstructing the view. Do not interfere with charging: The ETC electronic tag consumes power but generally does not require charging or battery replacement, as it has a solar panel on the back for self-charging. Therefore, during installation, avoid the black areas on the windshield and positions that may block the solar panel. Do not remove it randomly once installed: The button in the middle of the adhesive is an anti-removal lever connected to a switch. Once the electronic tag is installed on the windshield, the anti-removal lever will be pressed in. If removed randomly, the lever will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. You will then need to visit an ETC service point to unlock it. This is designed to prevent multiple vehicles from sharing one device. Points to note when using ETC: 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 in front to avoid automatic toll deduction for the wrong vehicle; the recognition speed for ETC lanes is 20 kilometers per hour. Driving too fast may result in failure to read the vehicle's device information and toll deduction failure; when using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may also cause toll deduction failure.
The first thing I did after buying my car was to install an ETC tag. It's usually placed right in the center of the windshield, near the top next to the rearview mirror. I spent a few minutes installing it myself because that spot has good visibility, isn't directly exposed to sunlight that could damage it, and doesn't get blocked by wipers. Remember to choose a flat area, clean the glass with an alcohol wipe before firmly attaching the tag, so the toll station antenna can easily scan it. During installation, I had a minor issue where a slightly off position caused occasional slow responses, but after adjusting it, I never had problems again. Using ETC for highway tolls is really convenient—no more fumbling for cash or waiting in line, saving a lot of time, especially for city commutes. New drivers who struggle with installation can seek help from professionals, since stable signal reception is crucial. Always double-check the placement to avoid obstructions—ETC is pretty cool to use.
