Terms of Service ("M" / TSUNAGI GARAGE)

These Terms of Service ("these Terms") apply to all services provided by "M" and TSUNAGI GARAGE ("we", "us", or "the Service") — including but not limited to content distribution, provision of information, technical support, consulting, engine control unit repair / tuning subscriptions, and the sale of engine oil. Please read them before use; use of the Service constitutes acceptance.

1. Scope of the Service

The Service is aimed at those who wish to maintain their car for the long term and to understand and improve its performance and function — including DIY owners and professional technicians — and provides the following:

  • Publishing knowledge, technique and know-how relating to vehicle diagnosis, inspection, repair, adjustment and tuning (via applications, blog, documentation and so on)
  • Data analysis relating to electronic control systems including the ECU (engine control unit), assistance in producing calibration data, and technical support for configuration changes (online and offline)
  • Technical advice and information relating to troubleshooting
  • Guidance on, or provision of, the tools, reference data, configuration information and procedures required for the work (some of it paid)
  • Engine control unit repair / tuning subscriptions
  • Sale of engine oil and related products
  • Other associated forms of support

Coverage is primarily vehicles from 1996 onwards conforming to the OBD2 standard, with partial coverage of earlier electronically controlled vehicles. Please enquire for the detailed scope.

2. Conditions of use

  • Use of the Service may require prior booking or consultation.
  • Some information, services and data provided are paid. When using a paid service, please check the price and contract terms presented separately.
  • The information, data, technical support and tools provided by the Service are material to inform the user's own judgement. They do not guarantee any particular outcome (improved performance, improved fuel consumption, resolution of a fault, and so on) or fitness for any particular purpose.
  • Reading from and writing to an ECU, changing settings, and any other work performed on a vehicle on the basis of the Service's information carries risk — vehicle failure, changed performance, immobilisation, damage to associated equipment (PCs, diagnostic tools), and voiding of the manufacturer's warranty. All such work is undertaken entirely at the user's own risk.
  • Users are responsible for complying with applicable law when using the Service — in Japan, in particular the safety standards of the Road Transport Vehicle Act. The possibility that a vehicle ceases to conform to safety standards as a result of using the information or data provided is likewise the user's responsibility.
  • Use of particular software or tools may be required. Obtaining, installing, operating and licensing them is the user's responsibility.

3. Subscriptions and fees

  • Some services (particular support and data access provided by the Service, ECU tuning subscriptions and so on) may require a monthly or annual subscription.
  • Payment is made by the specified method (credit card, bank transfer and so on). Payment details are set out separately.
  • We do not, as a rule, refund on cancellation by the user part-way through a term. Where continuation of the service becomes impossible for reasons on our side, we will discuss a refund proportionate to the unused period or a similar remedy.
  • To cancel, you must apply by the specified method no later than the day before the next billing date. Absent an application by that date, the subscription may renew automatically.

4. Copyright and use of content

  • Copyright and other intellectual property rights in all text, images, video, data (including configuration files, log data, analysis results and manuals), software and other content provided through the Service ("the Content") belong to us or to the third parties rightfully holding them.
  • Users may view and use the Content for private purposes only. Reproduction, modification, adaptation, public transmission (including making available for transmission), distribution, transfer, lending, secondary use and commercial use (including providing services to third parties using the data or know-how provided) without our prior written consent are strictly prohibited.
  • Where we set separate conditions of use for particular data or know-how we provide, those conditions apply.
  • Use of content quoted from external sites is subject to the terms of the site concerned.

5. Sale of products (engine oil and similar)

  • Products are dispatched subject to stock. Delivery times will be advised separately.
  • Except where a product is found to be defective on arrival, we cannot accept returns or exchanges at the user's convenience (including an incorrect application choice). Returns and exchanges after opening are, as a rule, not accepted.
  • Where there is an error in a displayed price or description, we may, at our discretion, cancel the order or ask to proceed on the corrected terms.

6. Disclaimer

  • We make no warranty of any kind, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, usefulness, fitness for a particular purpose, currency or security of the information, data, software, tools and similar we provide ("the Provided Material").
  • We accept no liability whatsoever — save in cases of our wilful misconduct or gross negligence — for any act performed by a user on the basis of the Provided Material (reading from or writing to an ECU, fitting or replacing parts, changing vehicle settings, using software or tools, and so on) or for its consequences (vehicle failure, changed performance, immobilisation, accident, data loss, damage to associated equipment, breach of law, voiding of the manufacturer's warranty, dispute with a third party, and so on).
  • We accept no liability for any damage arising to a user from use of, or inability to use, the Provided Material (including direct, indirect and consequential damage and lost profits).
  • Responsibility for the content and use of third-party websites, software, tools and products introduced or provided through the Service rests with their respective providers; we are neither involved nor liable.
  • We accept no liability for interruption, delay, suspension or data loss arising from failure of communication lines or computers, for damage arising from unauthorised access to data, or for any other damage arising to a user in connection with use of the Service.

7. Privacy Policy

For the handling of personal information, please see the separate Privacy Policy.

8. Specified Commercial Transactions Act disclosure

For our business name, address, contact details and similar, please see the separate Specified Commercial Transactions Act disclosure.

9. Changes to these Terms

  • We may change these Terms as necessary without obtaining the user's consent.
  • The revised Terms take effect from the point they are posted in an appropriate place on the website we operate. Use of the Service after a change is deemed acceptance of the revised Terms.

10. Governing law and jurisdiction

  • The formation, effect, performance and interpretation of these Terms are governed by the laws of Japan.
  • Any dispute arising between a user and the Service in connection with these Terms or with use of the Service is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Kofu District Court as the court of first instance.

11. Contact

In closing

These Terms exist to establish a safe and fair relationship between provider and user. By using the Service, you are deemed to have accepted all of their provisions. If anything is unclear, please contact us before use.

Language versions

These Terms are published in Japanese and in English. In the event of any discrepancy between the two, the Japanese version prevails.