Will ETC Stop Working If Removed from the Windshield?
3 Answers
ETC will indeed become deactivated if removed by yourself, as the ETC device is equipped with an anti-tamper feature. There is a small switch on the back of the ETC electronic tag. Once it is peeled off the windshield, the internal switch will automatically shut off. Therefore, you must bring the vehicle's registration certificate to the ETC service provider for reactivation. ETC Billing Principle: There are one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at toll stations, the system uses computer networking technology to settle payments with banks in the background. This allows vehicles to pay toll fees without stopping at toll booths, all based on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues. Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by allowing vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping, thereby lowering pollution. Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, thus reducing wear and fuel consumption. Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can increase traffic efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council explicitly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, intercity transportation smart cards should be widely adopted in key urban clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC should significantly increase." The plan also set a target of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the "13th Five-Year Plan" period. More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC adoption for trucks in the future. There will also be exploration into deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation developments, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage. Precautions for Installing ETC: Avoid obstructing the driver's view—it's best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have windshields with a steep rearward tilt, which can reduce the driver's field of vision. If ETC installation doesn't account for this, it may increase blind spots. Installing it on the right side behind the rearview mirror can help avoid blocking the view. Ensure uninterrupted charging: The ETC electronic tag requires power but generally doesn't need manual charging or battery replacement because it has a built-in solar panel for self-charging. Therefore, avoid installing it on the blackened areas of the windshield or positions that might block the solar panel. Do not remove it randomly once installed: The adhesive backing includes an anti-tamper rod connected to a switch. Once the tag is installed on the windshield, the rod is pressed in. If removed, the rod pops out, triggering the switch and locking the electronic tag, rendering it unusable. You would then need to visit an ETC service point to unlock it. This feature prevents multiple vehicles from sharing one device. Notes for Using ETC: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To avoid paying for the vehicle ahead due to its faulty ETC device, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters from the preceding car. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h—exceeding this speed may result in failed transactions due to unreadable device information. If using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance will also cause transaction failures.
Last time I washed my car, I foolishly removed the ETC device to clean the windshield, but couldn't get it to scan after reattaching it. When I called bank customer service, I learned there's an anti-tamper button on the back of ETC devices. This button must be depressed during installation to activate the device. If removed, the button pops up and automatically locks the device - a security measure to prevent transfer between vehicles. To restore functionality now, I have to visit a bank branch in person with the device, ID card, and vehicle registration for reactivation. There's no online solution. Moral of the story: once installed, don't touch it. If removal is necessary, always consult professionals - amateur tinkering means an unnecessary trip to the bank.
I've studied ETC devices, and there's a physical anti-tamper switch on the back. This switch remains closed when pressed against the windshield during installation. Once the device is detached from the glass, the switch pops open and triggers a locking mechanism. This design primarily prevents theft or unauthorized transfer of the device between vehicles. Therefore, if you remove and reattach it yourself, the device will definitely become deactivated, and you'll need to contact the issuing institution to reactivate it using specialized equipment. Some newer models support Bluetooth activation via smartphones, but the vast majority of older devices must be reactivated at service outlets. When cleaning your windshield, be careful to avoid the ETC area to prevent accidentally triggering the anti-tamper mechanism.
