Why does ETC make sounds?
3 Answers
It is the prompt sound of communication between the electronic tag and the ETC device. Here is relevant information about ETC: 1. Reasons: The beeping sound from the ETC device in the car may be caused by a new ETC device that has not been activated yet, or it may be a low battery prompt from the ETC device. It could also be due to installation under a black film, which prevents charging and leads to power loss. In addition, ETC failure or device abnormality can also cause the beeping sound. 2. Function: Currently, there are dedicated ETC toll lanes at highway toll stations. As long as the vehicle owner installs a sensor card on the front windshield and prepays the fee, there is no need for manual payment or stopping when passing through the toll station. The highway toll fee will be automatically deducted from the card, enabling automatic toll collection. This comprehensively improves the efficiency and level of highway transportation management and services.
The ETC emits sounds primarily to provide instant feedback, allowing me to know the deduction was successful without stopping at the toll booth. For example, when passing a gantry, it beeps once to indicate a valid transaction. This sound comes from the small speaker design of the device, ensuring I stay focused on driving without checking other things. The sounds may also include warnings for insufficient balance or device malfunction alarms, like an unusually long beep, which once alerted me that the card wasn’t properly inserted—fixing it resolved the issue. This feature is quite thoughtful, especially for nighttime highway driving safety, reminding me that the system is functioning normally. However, if the sounds become too frequent, it’s advisable to check the device’s battery or switch to silent mode. Regularly cleaning the card slot can also reduce false alarms.
I often ponder about the small devices in cars. The ETC beeping sounds like a mobile phone alert tone, which is generated by its internal processor emitting preset audio signals. When you drive through a toll station, the device communicates with the backend system and emits a 'beep' upon successful recognition; if it fails or encounters an error, such as signal interruption or low balance, it switches to a buzzer warning. This design saves time as you don't need to look at the screen to proceed. The device may also emit sounds during startup or charging to remind me of the battery status. I find this feedback method quite intelligent, especially appreciating the quick passage on highways. To reduce noise, I occasionally open the casing to inspect, but it's advised not to tamper with it to avoid damage.
