Should you remove your car's conduction stickers?

People acquire a car because of several various reasons. Some people need one to earn a living, while some consider it their primary mode of transportation, going to and from work and school. On the other hand, some people have to have one for medical and other more serious reasons. But aside from that, many people get a car for themselves to fulfill a dream.  

When buying our dream car, we have specific characteristics in mind. We consider the size of the vehicle, capacity, features, performance, durability, reliability, and of course, style. It is no surprise that style plays a vital role in vehicle marketing, as some of us are easily swayed by the beauty of a particular model over its functional specifications. That’s the reality and the irony; that’s also why car manufacturers try their best to introduce vehicles with a combination of function and style.

However, keeping your mind off that yellow sticker on your car’s windshield is not easy, especially for the finicky among us.  Many consider our car’s look an extension of our aesthetic taste. But that yellow sticker isn't a part of the car's design, nor should it be in our sense of style.  Yes, that conduction sticker is a bit of an eyesore.

What is a car’s conduction sticker, and what is it for?

A conduction sticker is a yellow (formerly white, back in 2012) sticker with a combination of letters and numbers unique to every car in the Philippines. If you’re asking, is it like a vehicle number plate that is unique to every car? Well, sort of. Its purpose is to give your vehicle an identity from the day it leaves the distributors' warehouse and reaches your house. It tells the world that the car has been purchased from a legitimate car dealer. Only the brands' official distributors can attach these stickers to the vehicle before they leave the warehouse and are transported to the dealership.  

Why does your car need a conduction sticker if a plate number is also issued?

As mentioned, cars need identification cards, like us people. This is the function of the number plate. However, the situation is that the country can’t produce vehicle number plates by the time you get to bring home your new car. That is why the government issues conduction stickers to car distributors so these can be placed on brand-new cars while they await ownership.  So while the vehicle has no number plate, it can easily be identified when driving on the road.

Some people prefer to keep their car's conduction stickers intact. It drives up the car's value by a fair bit when trading it in or selling. But if you're the type who doesn't want anything useless attached to your vehicle, then read on.

Can you remove your car’s conduction sticker if you already have a plate number?

As conduction stickers are considered temporary identification, it is okay to remove them once your car already has its number plate. However, if you plan to remove it, it is better to confirm with the Land Transportation Office before doing so. If you want to keep your car’s conduction sticker even if you already have the plate number, it is alright, as it also serves as extra protection in case someone has stolen your car. Unlike number plates, conduction stickers are harder to remove, so that you can track down your vehicle with them.

How do you remove it?

Unlike other stickers, conduction stickers can be challenging to remove. And because it is attached to your windshields, you don’t want any stain left as you remove it. You could try to peel it off gently, but using a heat gun is recommended first. You could also try using a sharp object, like a knife, to help peel it off while pouring some isopropyl alcohol to avoid stains. Others try to put a bit of mechanical oil. There are different ways people remove a conduction sticker, especially if the sticker has been on the windshield for quite a while.