Forester Windshield Edge Coating ?

[Victor Roberts]

I just picked up a 2006 Forester X (USA) There is black
trim coating around edge of the windshield with a larger
area covered at the top center, behind the mirror. Does
anyone know if this material is conductive? I would like to
install my toll booth transponder (E-Z Pass for me in NY
State) at the top of the windshield behind the mirror but
the transponder will not work if the coating is conductive.
(I don't want to "test" it at the first toll booth I go
into.)

 

[Michael Pardee]

I just picked up a 2006 Forester X (USA) There is black
trim coating around edge of the windshield with a larger
area covered at the top center, behind the mirror. Does
anyone know if this material is conductive? I would like to
install my toll booth transponder (E-Z Pass for me in NY
State) at the top of the windshield behind the mirror but
the transponder will not work if the coating is conductive.
(I don't want to "test" it at the first toll booth I go
into.)

Dunno - but if you have a garage door opener I suggest you use that for a
confidence test. Approach the garage and where you would normally open the
door, stick the opener into the area you want to mount the transponder and
see if it works. If you don't have one, maybe you can borrow one from a
friend and do the same sort of test with his garage door.

Mike

 

[mulder]

I just picked up a 2006 Forester X (USA) There is black
trim coating around edge of the windshield with a larger
area covered at the top center, behind the mirror. Does
anyone know if this material is conductive? I would like to
install my toll booth transponder (E-Z Pass for me in NY
State) at the top of the windshield behind the mirror but
the transponder will not work if the coating is conductive.
(I don't want to "test" it at the first toll booth I go
into.)

I don't think it will be a problem. My WRX has a black band at the top
of the rear window, I've got a glass-mount antenna there for a two-way
radio and it works fine.
However I'm not sure you want to mount your E-Z Pass where it can't be
seen from the outside, I believe you're supposed to mount it so it's
clearly visible to the officers at the toll plaza. I have mine mounted
to the right of the mirror so it's not in my field of view.

 

[Victor Roberts]

I don't think it will be a problem. My WRX has a black band at the top
of the rear window, I've got a glass-mount antenna there for a two-way
radio and it works fine.
However I'm not sure you want to mount your E-Z Pass where it can't be
seen from the outside, I believe you're supposed to mount it so it's
clearly visible to the officers at the toll plaza. I have mine mounted
to the right of the mirror so it's not in my field of view.

Thanks. I don't think it has to be visible since most of
the Z-E Pass lanes I use don't have humans at all. However,
the instructions do say that it should be at least one inch
below the top edge of the windshield - which I thought was
to reduce any effect of the roof and metal trim acting as a
ground plane and reducing the signal strength. I'm also a
bit leery of attaching the adhesive strips over the black
material since I will not be able to remove the strips
without damaging the coating when I sell the car. To the
right of the mirror looks like a good place. That's where I
have it now in my '97 OBW since there isn't enough room
above the mirror mount.

 

[ric_man]

Victor,

There shouldn't be a problem. I've got a Forester and use an e-Tag on
Melbourne's CityLink system (Australia). It beeps like it's supposed to
and debits my account... The e-Tag in my car looks like the "chilean
model" image on this page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_toll_collection

HTH,

....Ric

 

[Victor Roberts]

Victor,

There shouldn't be a problem. I've got a Forester and use an e-Tag on
Melbourne's CityLink system (Australia). It beeps like it's supposed to
and debits my account... The e-Tag in my car looks like the "chilean
model" image on this page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_toll_collection

Ric - thanks. My tag looks like the top photo at the link
you sent. Do you have your tag mounted above the mirror or
to the right?

 

[ric_man]

Ric - thanks. My tag looks like the top photo at the link
you sent. Do you have your tag mounted above the mirror or
to the right?

Victor,

Mine is behind the mirror to the right (we've got RHD cars in
Australia)... could have mounted it on the left behind the mirror, but
didn't think about it at the time... I was in the driver's seat...

....Ric

 

[Victor Roberts]

Victor,

Mine is behind the mirror to the right (we've got RHD cars in
Australia)... could have mounted it on the left behind the mirror, but
didn't think about it at the time... I was in the driver's seat...

...Ric

How could I have forgotten that you were part of the British
Empire and still part of the Commonwealth. I wonder - are
our neighbors to the north the only former part of the
Empire who drive on the right side of the road?

I've driven in England, Wales Scotland & the Irish Republic.
Quiet exciting - especially right after getting off an
overnight flight and heading into a traffic circle and
looking the wrong way.