USA SPEC Volkswagen iPod® Interface Connects your iPod to select 2005-up Volkswagen factory radios Review

Wednesday, October 20, 2010 by Vera Smith | Posted in adapter, automotive, car audio, General, iphone 3g, ipod, ipod accessories, ipod touch, passat, vw

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Okay, here it goes. The review is gonna be long but it includes EVERYTHING you need to know about the product...

First. I have a 2005 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T GLS sedan with the standard double-din (double-height) factory stereo.

I did a lot of research and glad I did. It was invaluable... which is why I'm writing this review in return.

Overall, excellent! EASY install, GREAT sound quality. Smart design.

First of all, I recommend that anyone considering this product, download the owner's manual from the USA SPEC website (for free in PDF format). That will give you an idea of the scope of the installation and the different "modes" available and how the factory stereo controls work and what the different "CD choices" represent. More on this later.

Next, in addition to buying this unit, you need the "keys" to pull the radio from the dash. You technically need four but can use two. They go into each corner of the radio (see the horizontal slots). You can buy the keys on ebay... or you can visit your local Best Buy, etc. and throw the tech a few bucks and pull the radio right there in the parking lot... like I did. If you only have two keys, pull the left side of the radio first (lots of youtube videos on how this works... I recommend you watch a couple before attempting). Once the left side of the radio is "out" (literally a couple of millimeters) then use the keys to pull the right side of the radio and voila!

I also recommend that you remove the glove compartment... MUCH EASIER THAN YOU THINK... Five torx screws. Open the glove compartment and you'll see three torx screws along the inside of the top of the compartment. There are also two torx screws underneath the glove compartment down below. You may need to get down on your knees to see them.

WHEN YOU PULL THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT OUT BE SURE TO DISCONNECT THE INTERIOR LIGHT. It has a quick connect plug located on the left side of the compartment. Once the compartment is out, you have A LOT of space to work with. I read some reviews about people having problems finding a place for the unit... I had no problems... with the glove compartment out. Honestly, I don't know how people were able to install the unit without taking the glove compartment out... you decide...

Also, a lot of reviews mention that there is a ground wire which you need to connect... TRUE... and not mentioned in the documentation. When you take the cables out of the box, suddenly there is this black wire hanging off one of the connectors... that's the ground wire... Connecting the ground wire correctly IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. If it's not installed properly... (good connection) you'll get buzzing, static. etc... Very bad. Also, most reviews that I read said that the ground wire isn't long enough. Also, TRUE. I had to splice an additional 2' to the ground in order to get to a good ground connection... As for a good ground connection. This was daunting at first... You have to be careful what you connect the wire to. For example, DO NOT CONNECT TO ANYTHING UNDER THE DASHBOARD THAT IS EVEN REMOTELY CLOSE TO THE AIRBAG = BAD!!!!!! The airbag unit can be seen when the glove compartment is out. If you look up under the open space where the glove compartment was... that's it. This is what I did... I ran a ground wire from where I spliced to the right side of the front passenger foot well. Went you look at the right side... down by where you're feet would be positioned, there are a couple of screws... one will have a TON of brown wires connected to it... There's another one right next to it... Simply unscrew the nut, attach the exposed portion of the ground wire (I wrapped the wire around the bolt post then reinstalled the nut). The nut was the same color as my car so it might be hard to find. Also, for good measure, it's not a bad idea to take some sandpaper to the bolt and the nut... it's painted which means you may not get a good ground... IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT WHAT IS A GOOD GROUND CONNECTION, CONSULT SOMEONE WHO DOES. THIS STEP IS VERY IMPORTANT. You DON'T want to fry your electrical system... and guess what, factory warranties are generally void if you alter the wiring... not sure if this unit qualifies for the disqualification but if the warranty underwriter finds out you were installing this unit, chances are they won't approve that $4,000 claim. BE CAREFUL!

When the glove compartment is out, look to the left of where your feet would be and look directly behind/below the radio... There is a PERFECT spot for the unit...

When you unplug the stereo, ONLY UNPLUG THE CD CHANGER (BLUE) PLUG... If you pull the other one, you'll lose power to the radio and will have to enter the security code to activate the unit again. (Call your VW dealer... they keep the four digit code on file).

Connecting the unit is as simple as it looks in the instructions. In addition to this unit I bought a fantastic iPod/iPhone mount to complete the professional look. Crutchfield has an excellent one ($65 but worth every penny). Simple to mount too... Pull the trip from the climate control switches, remove two torx screws on the right side of the climate control unit, insert the mount and reinstall the two torx bolts and the trim... DONE!

Also, during the installation, I added the RCA/3.5mm jack. You'll have to change one of the DIP switches on the module, but it's all explained well in the documentation. I ran the AUX jack (which is associated with CD #6 on the changer) into my glove compartment (made a small hole in the back to feed the wire through). Now I have another connection for a DVD player, sat radio, etc...

The sound is amazing. I'm using the "Hybrid" mode which allows me to control the iPod/iPhone from the device or the radio... I prefer to use the device... more intuitive and familiar. Supposedly, if you have steering wheel controls for the radio, they will work as well. I don't have that option...

Also, not documented very well... but very nice feature: When you turn the car off, the radio turns off and the iPod paused at the exact spot... When you turn the car on... touch nothing and the song will continue from that position.

This is THE answer you're looking for if you want excellent sound quality and a minimally invasive installation (no wire cutting, etc.)

Hope you all enjoy!

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Product Description:
iPod connection adapter for select 2005-up Volkswagen factory stereos * manage the iPod via your radio's CD changer controls * adjust volume, track up/down, fast forward/rewind * use up to five playlists (select five favorites, or Auto Playlist will let you choose from the first five on your iPod) * Direct Mode allows you to control everything via the iPod itself, giving you access to all playlists (requires a DIP switch change on the USA SPEC adapter) *