Why does the ETC beep?
4 Answers
Generally, there are several reasons why an ETC device beeps: the newly purchased device has not been activated yet; when driving on the highway, the beeping sound records the trip for convenient toll collection upon exiting; low battery level of the ETC device. Other reasons include: 1. Unable to store power: installed under a black film, leading to power storage failure and depletion. 2. ETC failure or device malfunction: ETC failure or device abnormality causes the beeping sound. If the ETC has issues, it's best to visit a nearby ETC service center for inspection and replacement. Normally, the device beeps twice only when recognizing the vehicle on the highway and does not beep continuously. It beeps when inserting or removing the card and passing through the ETC toll station. If it beeps randomly, it might be a contact issue, and it's recommended to remove and reinsert the device.
My ETC has been beeping a lot lately, which is usually it sending you signals. The most common is the two short beeps when passing through a toll station, which is the confirmation sound of a successful deduction, similar in principle to the 'beep' sound when scanning a barcode at a checkout counter. If it turns into a continuous long beep, you need to pay attention—it might be that the device is not firmly attached, has loosened, or shifted, causing poor signal reception. Sometimes, after being exposed to the sun, it suddenly beeps, which is actually a built-in battery overheating warning. My colleague once encountered a situation where the device beeped when it ran out of power. Generally, it lasts three to five years, so an old device should be replaced. Another easily overlooked issue is the card not being inserted properly. Once, after washing my car, the card wasn't fully inserted, and it kept beeping. If it beeps frequently without reason, take it to the bank for testing—they have specialized diagnostic tools.
The beeping sound from ETC is not a fault alarm, but more of an interactive prompt. Having worked in freight transport for eight years, I've gained experience from these sounds: two short beeps when passing through the ETC lane indicate a completed transaction, similar to the sound of swiping an access card; sudden continuous beeping might be due to the front windshield film being too thick, blocking the signal with its metal layer. Last time, intermittent buzzing occurred after the device got wet, and it turned out to be a short circuit on the circuit board due to moisture. New drivers should especially note that the anti-theft switch on the back of the OBU device, if not firmly attached, can trigger a theft alarm, which sounds quite urgent. Some newer ETC models also beep when detecting sudden deceleration of the vehicle ahead, serving as an additional collision warning feature.
That time my ETC beeping was quite interesting, and I only realized there's so much to it after checking the information. It's actually like how a phone lights up when charging—ETC uses sound to give feedback on its status: a short beep when passing through the highway is a toll confirmation; a long beep means the system detected an issue, such as poor card contact; sudden rhythmic beeping could indicate an aging built-in battery or extreme heat. Once, it beeped while I was driving my kid to school, and I found out the card was loose and not properly inserted. Here's a fun fact: some new solar-powered ETCs also beep after prolonged cloudy days, reminding you to let them sunbathe for a recharge.
