m6bigdog
Member
Just an update (and a bump for any new owners who are dealing with this issue): I finally got reasonable performance (worked on 2 out of 2 bridge readers) from mounting a Fastrak Flex transponder on the rear liftgate glass, upper right corner. ....
This is on a Model S 85D, April 2015 build. There are various iterations on the windshields, so the "normal" mounting positions (particularly to the right of the rearview mirror) have been reported to work for some people.
bmah,
I appreciate your update.
I have been waiting for FasTrak to provide an official position for the metallized windshield issue forced by the opening of I-580 Express Lane last week.
The MTC Express Lanes Concept of Operations Chapter 4: Operating Concept 7/1/15 document indicated on page 50: "Vehicles with metallic windshields that cannot find a place on the windshield where the express lane system can read a FasTrak® transponder will need to use a bumper-mounted transponder and will therefore not be able to travel toll-exempt on the express lanes". How is that for BS....
So, I called FasTrak customer service yesterday to get their update since I-580 was open and they indicated Tesla had solved the windshield problem so they had no comment other than I should contact Tesla if toll tag didn't work in my May 2015 Tesla. The CS rep was initially patient but hard nosed with respect to their faults assumption that the problem was with my Tesla only. They even denied their very own list of vehicle with metallized windshields!!
I did called Tesla customer service technical support and I was told that indeed any Tesla including mine with the Traffic Aware Cruise Control (TACC) is not comparable with the FasTrak toll tags mounted on the windshield and the only mounting option was the rear window.
Interesting aside and something we should be aware of, is the lawful mounting of the FasTrak toll tag.
The CHP will be trying to visually cull-out vehicles for a citation and the single driver with a toll-exempt status will be primary target.
So here it is:
RE:HOW TO MOUNT A TOLL TAG
https://www.bayareafastrak.org/en/howitworks/howToMount.shtml#detailed
1st: Don't hold up the toll tag
It is illegal to hold up a toll tag up by hand while driving through a toll collection point.
2nd: FasTrak seems to visually stipulate the only lawful locations are on the windshield.
Preferred | Alternative |
CA state Law: SEC. 77, Section 26708 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: Signs, stickers, or other materials which are displayed in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver, signs, stickers, or other materials which are displayed in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of the rear window farthest removed from the driver, or signs, stickers, or other materials which are displayed in a 5-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest the driver.
So while you advocate for locating the Toll Tag on the upper rear window as a functional alternative CA law has only approved the lower passenger side corner of the rear window and in wanting to stay out of the courts over a toll collection citation I'm going to place my FasTrak Flex Toll Tag on the passenger side lower 7-inch square of the rear window as instructed to be lawfully installed, weather it works there or not!!!