Aerpro AAFD01 Infolink Plus SWC Ford SYNC3 Climate Retention

Premium Ford SYNC3 SWC Integration 2-Way UART Retains Climate Control, Vehicle Menu, Amplifier and Reverse Camera

Product Overview

The Aerpro AAFD01 is an Infolink Plus steering wheel control interface for Ford vehicles with SYNC3 infotainment. It is a substantial step up from a standard CANBUS SWC interface: beyond retaining factory steering wheel audio controls, the AAFD01 uses a 2-way UART connection to retain climate control, vehicle menus, factory amplifier, and reverse camera and allows these vehicle functions to be controlled directly from the aftermarket head unit's touchscreen, as well as from the factory steering wheel.

2-way UART functionality requires a compatible head unit. Climate control display and system menu control through the aftermarket head unit is only available on select aftermarket radios that include a UART input. Without UART support in the head unit, the AAFD01 will still retain SWC button functions and the other outputs, but the touchscreen climate and menu control will not be available.

The kit includes the Infolink Plus interface harness with vehicle-specific Ford SYNC3 plug (no cutting of factory wiring required) and a reverse camera retention adaptor. For a complete installation, pair with the optional Aerpro APP8 Head Unit Secondary ISO Harness (sold separately).

Features & Benefits

• Infolink Plus 2-way UART interface — bidirectional communication between the vehicle and the aftermarket head unit; where the head unit has a UART input, climate control and vehicle system menus can be displayed on and controlled from the head unit touchscreen, in addition to the factory steering wheel controls
• Climate control, parking sensors, and gauges retained — where vehicle and head unit compatibility allows, the AAFD01 passes climate control settings, parking sensor status, and gauge information to the aftermarket head unit display
• Factory vehicle menu retained — vehicle system menus accessible through the factory SYNC3 system are retained via the Infolink Plus interface
• Factory amplifier retained — the factory Ford amplified audio system is preserved after installation
• Factory reverse camera retained — the reverse camera retention adaptor (included) carries over the factory reverse camera signal to the aftermarket head unit
• SWC retained — no cutting of factory wiring — the vehicle-specific plug connects directly to the factory Ford SYNC3 harness; factory wiring integrity is fully preserved
• UART functionality requires compatible head unit — climate control display and bidirectional menu control are only available with aftermarket head units that include a UART input; confirm your head unit supports UART before purchasing
• Reverse trigger output (purple) — signals the head unit to display camera when reversing
• Park brake output (green) — connects to the head unit's park brake input for CarPlay/Android Auto activation
• Speed pulse output (pink) — provides vehicle speed data for compatible head units
• Illumination output — automatic display dimming when vehicle lights are on
• Patch Lead Type H — confirm head unit SWC input compatibility with Type H patch lead
• Pairs with Aerpro APP8 harness (sold separately) — the APP8 Head Unit Secondary ISO Harness provides clean ISO connectivity between the AAFD01 and the aftermarket head unit
• Reverse camera retention adaptor included — no additional adaptor purchase required for camera retention

Technical Specs

Compatible With / Goes Well With

• Ford vehicles with SYNC3 infotainment — confirm specific model compatibility using the Aerpro Vehicle Selector
• Aftermarket head units with UART input — required for 2-way climate and menu control via the touchscreen
• SWC-compatible aftermarket head units — required for steering wheel control retention
• Aerpro APP8 Head Unit Secondary ISO Harness (sold separately) — recommended for clean ISO connectivity

Weight

Not specified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Infolink Plus and how is it different from a standard CANBUS interface?

A standard CANBUS interface (such as the Aerpro ASFO7C) reads SWC button signals from the vehicle's data bus and translates them to the head unit — one direction only. Infolink Plus is a 2-way UART interface: it sends data both ways between the vehicle and the head unit. This bidirectional communication is what enables the aftermarket head unit's touchscreen to display and control vehicle functions like climate settings and system menus that would otherwise only be accessible through the factory SYNC3 screen.

What does "2-way UART" mean and what can I control through the aftermarket head unit?

UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter) is a serial communication protocol that allows data to flow in both directions simultaneously. On compatible Ford SYNC3 vehicles with a compatible aftermarket head unit, the AAFD01's UART connection allows climate control settings, parking sensor information, gauges, and system menus to appear on and be operated from the aftermarket touchscreen — as well as through the factory steering wheel buttons. The specific features available depend on the vehicle model and the head unit's UART integration.

Does the reverse camera retention require any additional adaptors?

No — the AAFD01 kit includes a reverse camera retention adaptor. The factory reverse camera signal is carried through to the aftermarket head unit's RCA reverse camera input without any additional purchase.

Which aftermarket head units are compatible with the UART touchscreen control feature?

Only select aftermarket radios that include a UART input are compatible with the 2-way climate and menu control functionality. This varies by brand and model — confirm with the head unit manufacturer or Aerpro that your specific head unit includes UART input and is certified for use with the AAFD01 before purchasing. Without UART support in the head unit, the AAFD01 still provides SWC retention and its output signals, but the touchscreen vehicle function control will not be available.

What is the difference between the AAFD01 and the ASFO7C?

The ASFO7C is a standard CANBUS SWC interface for Ford and Mazda — it retains SWC button functions and provides reverse trigger, park brake, and speed pulse outputs, but does not retain vehicle menu, amplifier, or reverse camera. The AAFD01 is a higher-capability Infolink Plus interface specifically for Ford SYNC3 — it adds 2-way UART for climate and menu control, retains the factory amplifier, factory reverse camera (adaptor included), and vehicle menus.