That can be tricky. If the remote is not RF, and I don't think it is, you need to pretty much point it directly to the radio. IR needs a line of sight to operate. The diodes cannot communicate without "seeing" each other. I know the steering wheel control is supposed to offer complete flexability, but if you don't have it pointing to the head unit, and the grille would probably need to be up, it won't work. Just like your TV or VCR remote. If you try it at an angle or have an obstruction in front of it, it won't work.