Users Guide
Users Guide for Navigation Radios
Direct Connect 4.0 is a complete integrated solution that provides a hardwire connection from your iPod to your Ford's stereo. It's the only system available for Ford vehicles that properly maps iPod control to the correct buttons on your Ford factory radio, including factory Navigation radios. The result is the world's easiest way to enjoy the music on your iPod in uninterrupted, crystal-clear CD-quality.
Included with your purchase is a convenient glovebox holder for any size iPod and a charge converter. The glovebox holder clips onto the side of most vehicle glovebox designs to hold your iPod securely in place. Includes a 30-pin iPod cable port at the bottom, to allow you to dock your iPod for easy charging and easy removal.
The charge converter is necessary for use with most current iPod/iPhones. It snaps in between your iPod device and our cable and allows the 12 volt charging to transition to the new apple standard of 5 volts.
With iPod Direct Connect for Ford, you can view playlist, album and artist names right on your stereo's display, and control your iPod from your stereo's buttons – even your steering wheel controls. And with 4.0, our latest version, Direct Connect works even more like your iPod than ever before; it remembers where you left off in a playlist with each power-up, whether you leave your iPod in the car, or take it with you and reconnect to the vehicle later. It also conveniently keeps your iPod charged at all times
(Charger Converter required for newer iPod Nano, iPhone 3G and above and Touch Gen 2 and above).
Direct Connect 4.0 installs in just minutes in plug-and-play fashion and is completely invisible because your iPod is placed safely out of sight inside your glove compartment. Our vehicle-by-vehicle installation instructions with photos guide you through every step. If you have an iPhone, there is enough cable provided to dock the iPhone on our Tetrax adapter or in your cup holder. The cable is strong enough yet small enough to close your glovebox on it as well.
This model is for most 2005-2009 Ford vehicles WITH factory Satellite Radio Tuner located close to the radio. Please use the compatibility finder to check for compatibility with your vehicle.
Key Benefits
- Apple-approved Made for iPod designation
- The only system that correctly maps your iPod controls to the right stereo button controls
- Compatible with all iPod and iPhones except the Shuffle
- Extremely quick button response time compared to competitive systems
- Crystal-clear digital sound
- Resume mode allows you to resume your music where you left off
- Charges your iPod as it's playing music*
- No visible wires; connects easily to the back of your radio or Sat Tuner
- Easy plug-and-play installation that takes only minutes without special tools or knowledge
- With iPhone, auto gradual volume reduction when a call comes in while connected
- Apple-grade 30-pin iPod Connection
- iPod navigation through car radio
- Resume mode
- Glovebox Holder
- Charging
- Ford CAN Bus integration
The Direct Connect is compatible with certain makes and models of vehicles only. In order to ensure compatibility and fit with the exact make, model and option level of your vehicle, please use the compatibility finder.
Edge Installation Instructions
Expedition Installation Instructions
Explorer Installation Instructions
F-150 Installation Instructions
Five Hundred Installation Instructions
Focus Installation Instructions
Freestyle Installation Instructions
Fusion Installation Instructions
MKZ Installation Instructions
Mustang Installation Instructions
2006-2007 SuperDuty Installation Instructions
2008 SuperDuty Installation Instructions
Satellite Tuner Box Locations
| Vehicle | Year | Tuner Box Location |
| Edge | 07-08 | Rear sill of hatch, driver side |
| Expedition | 07-08 | Center console, armrest |
| Explorer | 06-08 | Pass side kick panel, near glove box |
| F-150 | 05-08 | Underneath radio, HVAC bezel |
| Five Hundred | 06-08 | Trunk, driver side panel behind carpet |
| Freestyle | 06-08 | Behind quarter panel trim, pass side |
| Fusion | 06-08 | Behind rear seat side bolster, pass side |
| MKX | 07-08 | Rear sill of hatch, driver side |
| MKZ | 06-08 | Behind rear seat side bolster, pass side |
| Mark LT | 05-08 | Underneath radio, HVAC bezel |
| Milan | 06-08 | Behind rear seat side bolster, pass side |
| Montego | 06-08 | Trunk, driver side panel behind carpet |
| Mountaineer | 06-08 | Pass side kick panel, near glove box |
| Mustang | 05-08 | Trunk, behind carpet pass side |
| Navigator | 07-08 | Center console, armrest |
| New Taurus | 06-08 | Trunk, driver side panel behind carpet |
| Sable | 06-08 | Trunk, driver side panel behind carpet |
| Sport Trac | 07-08 | Pass side kick panel, near glove box |
| Super Duty | 06-08 | Underneath steering column |
| Taurus X | 06-08 | Behind quarter panel trim, pass side |
| Zephyr | 06-08 | Behind rear seat side bolster, pass side |
Q: How do I switch from listening to radio to listening to iPod?
A: Connect iPod to the docking system and select SAT 1 with the “AUX” button
Q: What is the default mode for iPod sorting?
A: The adapter always starts in Album mode search upon turning on, playing the song it was on if the iPod was playing music prior to connection. It will play the first song of the first album otherwise
Q: I press the "AUX" button, but the radio plays satellite programs
A: Check that iPod shows Brandmotion logo on screen. If no logo shows, reset the iPod. Otherwise, reset the adapter (See “How do I reset the Brandmotion Adapter?”)
Q: My text display isn't displaying iPod information any longer. How to correct it?
A: Make sure that "AUX" is on "SAT1". Switch to another radio function – AM / FM / CD & switch back to AUX Otherwise, reset the adapter (See “How do I reset the Brandmotion Adapter?”)
Q: I just connected my iPod to the Brandmotion adapter for the first time and it doesn't seem to work.
A: The first time you connect your iPod to the system it can take several seconds to read your entire library. Wait up to one minute and try it again. If that doesn't work, turn off the ignition and wait several seconds before restarting. Or, disconnect and reconnect your iPod from the docking system. There may be static buildup between the iPod and the connector cable.
Q: What satellite radio channels can I use to listen to my iPod?
A: Any of the three channels (SAT1, SAT2, and SAT3) play the iPod, but the song/artist/album only displays on SAT1.
Q: I am listening to my iPod but want to listen to satellite radio. Do I have to disconnect the iPod?
A: Yes
Q: Performing the “scan” function when there is a single song by an artist or album caused the music to skip / stutter
A: Press "scan" again to end the 10 second scan, or change categories to "Playlist". You cannot scan in album mode when there is only a single song from that Album on your iPod.
Q: When disconnecting the iPod to play Sat Radio, the Sat Radio said "Sat Fault" and wouldn't play on any of the three channels.
A: Wait a few seconds and then hit the aux button again to choose SAT. You may also try changing source to radio, then back to SAT. If neither step solves the issue, check the Ford 24-pin harness that connects to the radio. One or more of the pins may be pushed back in the harness.
Q: How do I reset the Brandmotion Adapter?
A: We recommend the following steps in sequence for any interruptions in normal functioning of the system:
Wait for a moment - it can take several seconds to initialize the adapter & read your entire library. Wait up to one minute and try again.
Switch to another radio function – AM / FM / CD and then switch back to AUX
Turn the radio “OFF” with the radio power button
Unplug the iPod from the adapter cable
Stop & turn off the ignition
Perform a soft reset of the iPod (see)
Disconnect and reconnect the connections to the adapter box behind the dash
Q: My steering wheel controls don't seem to work
A: On certain Ford vehicles, pressing the steering wheel seek button for 2-3 seconds will cause the iPod to go to the next track & holding down longer should start moving rapidly through the tracks. It takes a little time to get used to how long to hold the button down. This occurs in vehicles with one touch for radio pres-sets, and hold down to seek. Since there are no pre-sets on an iPod it can require a 2-3 second hold to see the seek function.
Q: How do I reset my iPod?
A: Follow these steps:
1. Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Slide it to Hold, and then turn it off again.)
2. Press and hold the Menu and Select buttons until the Apple logo appears, about 6 to 10 seconds. Or, if it is a iPhone or Touch, turn the unit completely off and then on again.
Q: My iPhone / Touch is giving me a message "not a supported model, do you want to put in airplane mode". What should I do?
A: Press "NO" & the system will work perfectly. You'll still be able to receive calls while listening to music, the music will fade out when a call comes in and allow you to answer the call and then continue playing the song right where it left off when you hang up the call.
Q: How do I update the iPod's firmware?
A: Go to http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/
Q: The system does not seem to be charging my battery
A1: Your iPod cannot be completely discharged when you connect to the Direct Connect system (unlike home charging). It must have some, albeit minimal, level of battery charge present to charge. The recharging circuit won't engage in our adapter until the iPod connects, but if the iPod is dead, the adapter can't talk to the iPod, hence the need for a trickle of charge in the iPod. It doesn't take much, 5 minutes hooked to a home charger is enough to get the iPod to talk to our adapter.
Q: Does my iPod continue to charge when I shut off the vehicle?
A: No. If the vehicle and radio are off, the iPod usually enters a sleep mode to conserve the vehicle battery. Make sure your sleep timer and sleep mode in your iPod are active and turned "on" (varies by iPod- see owners manual). The test to see if sleep mode is working is to turn off your car with the iPod playing and see if it goes into pause. If it does you are in active sleep mode and your iPod will not discharge. If it does not you do not have your sleep setting activated. The Direct Connect system does not issue any sleep commands to your iPod, and the Direct Connect system does not draw charge from the iPod when it is turned off.
It will eventually - in weeks - drain its own battery in this mode, as it does whether it is plugged in to something or not. Our interface does not change this characteristic; it does not cause the iPod to drain its own battery any faster than if it is unattached to our interface.
Q: My iPod continues to play when I shut off the vehicle.
A: You do not have your iPod sleep setting activated. Make sure your sleep timer and sleep mode in your iPod are active and turned "on" (varies by iPod- see owners manual). The Direct Connect system does not issue any sleep commands to your iPod, and the Direct Connect system does not draw charge from the iPod when the car is turned off.
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Right on target - fit my needs Review by Mike
Value Quality Price It took longer to decide on where to actually mount it behind the dash then it took to open the dash, connect the wires, and close it back up. Installation was extremely easy. The youtube video on F150 install was perfect. I can't say enough just how easy and fast it was to install. The functionality takes a bit to get used to but once you become familiar with translating your radio buttons to the iPod functions, it works as advertised. Having the steering wheel controls available is a plus. This installation allows the iPod to be conveniently hidden away in the glove box so no one walking by the truck is any wiser. Definitely get the adapter cable that charges the iPod - very handy. (Posted on 3/17/11)
