Yes, once the iPod is attached to the Dice cable the iPod controls are locked out and all of the functionality is controlled remotely. The ONLY drawback I have found to keeping the iPod in the trunk is that if I don't switch to that source at least once a day the iPod will go into hibernation and the only way to wake it is to press the middle button on the iPod, which necessitates opening the trunk. There are ways to disable hibernation on certain iPod models, and if you use the iPod at least once a day this is moot because hibernation does not occur. The practical upshot for me is that I ocassionally need to open the trunk and hit the button to wake up the iPod at the beginning of the work week.