[Macworld]

Post your comments for GateWay iPod interface works with 2009 vehicles here

[veedubu]

This product DOES NOT work well with VW's. I bought this for my brand new GTI and it had a constant drain on the battery even when the car was off. This led to numerous dead batteries, headaches of having to take it out and send it back to the company. They did give me a full refund but I would definitely NOT recommend this if you own a VW.

[Mish]

That would be installer error. The power leads for the box should have been wired into a switched power source so the unit only powers on when the key is in the on position. Whoever installed it wired it up to a constant power source which is why it drained your battery.

[veedubu]

Good to know NOW after I returned it and they took it back no questions asked. I have seen other GTIs with the same issue on some forums, I bet Best Buy/whoever else installed others' didn't even bother checking for a swtched power source. Is it hard to find on lots of cars? Lazy, lazy lazy......whatever is the easiest right?

[pminich]

From my high school years of driving I remember the VW's were highly prized because you could run the stereo with the key in the off position (possibly with it out as well, can't remember).
If this is still the case I would think that it could potentially add a degree of difficulty to the install.

[veedubu]

Yup! That might be exactly what it was, you can turn the stereo on and listen to tunes with no keys in the car, or in the off position, it goes off after 30 mins though, so that could definately be it. Good call pminich...I wonder how VW's factory iPod integration works and this after market doesn't, you'd think this company would have thought about that.

[bugjuice]

I've got an '03 R32 and I've not long had the factory iPod adapter fitted. The iPod switches on/off with the radio, regardless if the keys are in or not. However, I also had a subwoofer fitted (standard stereo is remarkable, just lacking in bass) which has to have a switch (obviously), and the shop that fitted it have wired it to the ignition somewhere, so that while the keys are out, the sub isn't on, but the radio works. When the keys are in (but even in the 'off' position), the sub runs. So yes, it's possible to have it properly switched so it doesn't kill the battery, but the keys may probably have to be in to make it run (just wired like my sub..)