Readers' tips for keeping FasTrak transponder where you want it
QI'd come out to my car after it was parked in the sun to find the FasTrak tag on the floor. I got an inexpensive suction cup tag holder and rather than sticking the tag to that, I used kite string to tie it to the suction pad holder. It keeps the tag visible to police and I have no further problems.
— Evan Silbert, San Mateo
AYours is one of many solutions readers have come up with for a common FasTrak tag problem.
QI put rubber feet on my FasTrak and just place it on my dash. The only time it moves is if I accelerate too quickly.
— Roman Perry
AAnd…
QThe Velcro tape provided with the tag is useless after the car sits in the sun, but a similar tape with automotive adhesive works for me.
— Roger Dahlberg
AGood to know.
QI called the FasTrak number, 877-229-8655, and they sent new Velcro strips. Remove the old strips, clean the FasTrak tag with isopropyl alcohol, let it dry, then attach the new Velcro. Don't skip the cleaning part.
— Tim Kelly, Santa Cruz
ACleaning the surface sounds like a critical step to get the new strips to adhere.
QTo keep my transponder mounted to the windshield in hot weather, I wrapped two half-inch-wide hook strips of Velcro vertically around the transponder, the same distance apart as the loop strips on the windshield.
Then to keep the transponder from sliding out of the loops, I wrapped a third hook strip around it horizontally to attach to the window strips. Lots of Velcro, but it works without relying on glue.
— Art Miller, Martinez
AAnd…
QI received a new transponder and mounted it on the windshield. In as few as 15 minutes in the sun, it falls off. Even the pads did not stay on the transponder. I had to glue the pads on, but will not glue the transponder to the window. — Joe Ruk
AA few more ideas …
QI used thick, clear permanent bond adhesive to attach the Velcro tabs to my FasTrak transponder. I let it sit to dry for 24 hours before putting it back onto the window. It worked great and hasn't come off in the 6 months since I did that.
— Bob Steiner
AAnd…
QThere is a very simple solution for anyone trying keep their FasTrak gizmo attached to their windshield: Don't bother. Put it in your glove box and forget about it. That's where mine has been for years. It works just fine.
— Judy Feldman,
Walnut Creek
AJudy gets the final word for today.