Sorry, I thought I had answered this. I will do so now. Once the car is started and the iPod is connected you have full control of the iPod. Right now mine is located in the trunk, but there is plenty of cable to have the iPod in the center console or glove box if you're interested in running the cable. It would be really nice to have it accessible in the front of the car to control the iPod but I've been too lazy to set it up right now.
So far, I have no complaints with the product. It works great.