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If you’ve ever driven on a toll road in the northeastern United States, chances are you’ve encountered E-ZPass. E-ZPass is an electronic toll collection system that uses special lanes equipped with electronic readers to deduct tolls from a driver’s account balance automatically.
But have you ever noticed the small black dots or bands on the edge of your windshield or the upper portion of your rear window? These are called frits, and they serve several essential purposes.
This blog will take a closer look at E-ZPass and windshield frits, explaining how they work, why they’re used, and everything in between.
What’s E-ZPass in General?
E-ZPass is an electronic toll collection system used in the northeastern United States. It is operated by the E-ZPass Group, which consists of 37 agencies in 17 states, and is accepted on most tolled roads, bridges, and tunnels in the region.
If you have an E-ZPass transponder mounted on your vehicle’s windshield, you can use designated lanes equipped with electronic readers to pay tolls. The transponder’s signal is detected by the reader, which then automatically deducts the toll amount from your account.
There are several advantages to using E-ZPass. You don’t have to stop and pay tolls at booths, which saves time. There is also less congestion at toll plazas. In addition, you may be able to get a discount on toll rates if you use E-ZPass frequently.
To use E-ZPass, you’ll need to purchase a transponder and open an account. You can get a transponder online or at various retail locations. Once you have the transponder installed in your vehicle and your account is activated, you can start using E-ZPass on any tolled road.
What Are Those Black Dots On The Windshield?
Frits are small, ceramic bands or dots that are applied to the edge of the windshield or upper portion of the rear window of a vehicle. They are made of a ceramic material that is bonded to the glass using heat and pressure and serve several important purposes.
For example, frits help to improve the adhesion of the sealant that is used to bond the windshield to the frame of the vehicle, which is crucial in ensuring the structural integrity of the car in the event of a collision.
In addition to improving adhesion, frits also protect the sealant from degradation due to UV radiation, which can extend the life of the sealant. Frits also help to regulate the temperature of the windshield, which can prevent the glass from expanding and contracting excessively.
Finally, frits act as a form of sunscreen, reducing glare and making it easier for your eyes to adjust when you’re looking through the windshield.
What’s The Ideal Location To Place An E-ZPass
There are various places on your car where you can install your E-ZPass, such as:
Windshield
Your car’s windshield is a perfect spot for an E-ZPass as it makes it easier for toll booths to scan it. To install your E-ZPass tag conveniently and visibly, consider using the windshield mount. First, clean the area near the rearview mirror.
Then, locate the front of the transponder, which should be facing up with the E-ZPass logo and arrows pointing towards the roof of your vehicle. This helps ensure that you place the tag in the correct position on the upper center of the windshield, about 1 inch to the right of the rearview mirror and about 1 inch below the top edge.
Just be sure to avoid the shaded window area, positioning the tag at least 1 inch below it if necessary. This will make it easy to identify and use the toll system.
Roof Mount
For a secure and convenient installation, you may choose to mount your E-ZPass tag on the roof of your car. Just make sure to position the tag at least 3 inches away from the roof to avoid interference with the toll collection device.
It’s also important to avoid placing the tag near any radio antennas, as this can disrupt the chip scanning process. The E-ZPass tag comes with 4 adhesive strips – 2 already mounted on the tag and 2 to be attached to the windshield.
Simply remove the protective backing and press the tag firmly into place for 15-30 seconds to ensure a strong hold. To keep the transponder in place for a longer period, try to avoid removing and re-gluing it too often as the adhesive can weaken over time.
License Plate
The license plate mount is a great choice for your E-ZPass tag for a sturdy and dependable installation. In addition to using glue to attach the tag, consider also using bolts to firmly fix it to the license plate holder.
This will help keep the tag in place, especially on rough roads, and prevent it from falling off due to exposure to smoke and dust, which can weaken the adhesive over time. When placing the tag on the front bumper, try to center it and avoid covering your license plate information.
By using both glue and bolts, you can ensure that your E-ZPass tag stays securely attached to your vehicle.
How To Mount Your E-ZPass Tag?
To ensure a smooth and successful installation of your E-ZPass tag, follow these steps:
- Start by cleaning the windshield to ensure a clean surface for the mounting strips.
- Next, attach the mounting strips to the back of the tag.
- Carefully remove the film from the strips.
- Now, you’re ready to mount the tag on the upper portion of the windshield, positioning it at least one inch to the right of the center support of the rearview mirror and at least one inch below the tinted section. Make sure the label is facing you and the arrows are pointing up for proper orientation.
- It’s important to keep in mind that holding the tag or placing it on the dashboard while traveling under a gantry can cause issues with the tag reading and result in a higher toll rate. To avoid this, make sure to securely mount the tag as instructed.
If you need additional mounting strips, you can easily order them through the official TOLLS NY mobile app or by accessing your account on e-zpassNY.com.
Final Words
The E-ZPass system is a convenient and efficient way to pay tolls on highways and bridges. There are several locations where you can install your E-ZPass tag on your vehicle, including the windshield, roof, and license plate. As you read above, E-ZPass has nothing to do with the black dots on your windshield, and both of them essentially share different purposes. We hope this sums up all your queries regarding E-ZPass windshield dots.
