Club Lexus Forum Rules

Members are free to post replies in any threads or create new posts in the forums. Always try to make meaningful and complete posts and try to select the appropriate forum. At times, moderators may move your post to another forum that is more suitable for the topic you have posted. Please try to use a descriptive title for your post, something like “Need Help!” is not useful and will cause many experienced members to skip your post.

Please be respectful of other members who will ultimately read your posts. We don't expect proper grammar and spelling on all posts (few of our members are English majors and many are not native English speakers) but try to make posts using normal conversational text and not shorthands that can be difficult to understand or annoying. We have members from across the globe but ask all our members to create posts only in English to facilitate common communication. Use forum text controls as appropriate to emphasize points of your post but avoid using colors that are difficult to read and putting messages or message titles in ALL CAPS, which is read as 'shouting'.

Although Club Lexus members receive different status titles depending on the number of posts members have, we do not encourage members to post just for the sake of posting. Doing so will result in deletion of your posts, warnings, and possibly membership suspension. Examples of meaningless posts are:

• What did you have for breakfast today? • It is so hot here.

Please create only one single post for your topic – do not ‘spam’ multiple forums by created multiple threads or links to posts in other sub-forums without the permission of the forum administrator.

If a moderator closes a thread (for any reason) or asks that you exit a thread, members should not create a new thread to continue the recent discussion or to get in "the final word". PM the person you want to communicate with instead.

Moderators may restrict member access to Club Lexus sub-forums if members repeatedly create posts intended to cause conflict and damage to our sense of community.

Members are to respect the designated topics for each forum when posting their messages. This includes lobby, classified, or any other sort of posting that does not directly go along with the topic that has been designated for that forum. Those who post messages that do not relate to the topic area will have their threads moved.

Please stay on topic; when a thread goes off-topic the valuable information within is often lost and difficult to find with the search feature later on. Do not reply to one person in the thread about something totally unrelated. Either use Club Lexus’ private message feature to contact them or start another thread with the new subject.

While we encourage lively debates and discussions, we will not tolerate personal attacks of any kind. Any person attacking another forum member will receive a warning and may have their offensive posts removed. One more offense and the offending member will be permanently suspended from Club Lexus. Any member that physically threatens another member, vendor or moderator on Club Lexus will result in an immediate automatic suspension.

Repeated name calling and insults will not be tolerated. Members are certainly going to disagree from time-to-time, but the disagreement should be about the topic not the person posting. Please keep debates factual and constructive and keep in mind you can always ‘agree to disagree’ rather than enter into a heated argument.

If you have a problem with another member's comments in a posted thread, do not respond with any further comments that will aggravate the situation. Reacting to a hostile post with more hostility also puts you in jeopardy, and puts you at risk for action against your account even if it was initially another member’s fault – it takes two to argue. Members have two options of recourse:

1) Email or private message the moderators of the forum in which the offensive comment is posted, directing them to the individual and thread in which the problem occurs. Use the "Notify a Moderator" button on the bottom of the offensive post to accomplish the same thing. Moderators will look into the issues and take the appropriate actions.

2) Resolve the problem between both of you via email or Private Message (PM).

Club Lexus strives to be a work-safe forum that allows our members to view topics without breaking most corporate web access rules. No nude images, near-nudity or overtly sexual content are allowed to be posted on our forum, used in signature images or avatars, or stored in our Club Lexus gallery. These rules apply to linked images and URLs to other sites with non-work-safe content, regardless if they are marked "NWS". These items will be removed without notice.

We also ask that a certain level of decorum be observed when posting ‘gross’ pictures. If your co-worker or grandmother would be shocked if they saw what you’re posting, then don’t post it.

Any profanity that cannot readily be heard on prime time network television will not be tolerated anywhere on the Club Lexus site. Members who violate the rule will be warned either in public or in private, and a second time will result in suspension. Obvious circumvention of the profanity language edits on our forum to carry the same meaning falls under this same policy.

These threads or gallery pictures will have images or profanity removed and locked or deleted without notification to the member.

The following topics and links are prohibited on Club Lexus:

• Carfax requests on any records of a particular VIN. The Carfax service is inexpensive insurance and Club Lexus does not allow theft of their service on our forum.
• Links to sales on auction sites such as eBay or other commerce websites to promote an item the member is selling elsewhere or has a vested interest in.
• Links to multi-level marketing, pyramid schemes or other posts where the member posting the link achieves financial or other personal gains.
• Links or discussion / promotion of illegal activities or illegal drug use
• Links or discussions regarding software piracy including duplication of Lexus Navigation DVDs or other Lexus software or purchase of pirated content
• Links to pornography or links to other sites that are not work safe, including sites with banner advertisements that are not work safe.
• Advertisements for non-approved vendors or group buys sponsored by non-approved vendors or other automotive forums
• Links to posts on other forums that foster cross-forum arguments posted on CL or another forum
• Posting personally identifiable information (PII) of another member or private communications between two members
• Requests for financial donations, vote contests or sponsorships for self or others

These threads may be removed, locked or deleted without notification to the member.

Additionally, the following discussion topics are prohibited on Club Lexus in new threads or replies to existing threads:

• Discussions or comments on politics.
• Discussions or comments about politicians or political parties.
• Discussions or comments about religion.
• Discussions or comments about emotionally charged debate topics such as abortion, gun control, race relations, etc.

Group Buys (GB) or bulk sales are allowed ONLY in conjunction with a Club Lexus authorized vendor. ‘Gathering interest’ posts for group buys or new products are also not allowed without the prior support of an authorized Club Lexus vendor which can be coordinated directly through the vendor or requested of moderators or the forum administrator. Linking to group buys sponsored by non-CLUB LEXUS vendors or on other sites/forums is not allowed.

Inappropriate GB posts will be promptly closed or removed without notice.

The inclusion of pictures within messages is allowed on this site. Referring to images that are copyrighted and protected by others is not to be included on our site without the express written permission of the owner of the copyrighted image(s).

Linking to other copyrighted or otherwise unauthorized material copies is not allowed on our site without the express written permission of the owner of the copyrighted materials(s). This specifically includes copies of service manuals and pirated movies.

The gallery feature of Club Lexus is provided for the enjoyment our active forum members. Members who join Club Lexus solely for use of the gallery will have their account disabled and gallery images deleted. The gallery is primarily for Lexus-related images used on our forum From time-to-time old images may be purged from our gallery to free up space for newer images.

Club Lexus has some reasonable guidelines regarding signature size and content, to keep CLUB LEXUS a forum that's easy for our members to read... no giant signature banners and text that takes up half the screen on each post, friendly for dial-up, no unwanted advertising and 100% work-safe. Repeated abuse of the forum signature rules will cause the member to forfeit the privilege to have a signature on our forum or suspension of their access.

1) No images physically larger than 450 (wide) X 100 (tall) in total combined size
2) Image file sizes no larger than a combined 50K from a reliable host, preferably the Club Lexus gallery
3) A maximum of 8 lines of normal sized (default) text, including blank lines. Larger than "size 1" text is not allowed, enforced at moderator team's discretion.
4) No for sale, want-to-buy or advertising text (including URLs, business titles, or business contact info) in signatures unless you are an approved Club Lexus sponsor
5) No linking to or advertising for other forums that overlap Club Lexus subject areas
6) No intentionally inflammatory or politically charged signature text or avatars allowed. This specific rule will be applied at the moderator team's discretion.
7) Only work safe, PG-rated images are allowed in signatures, no profanity is allowed
8) Macromedia Flash signatures are prohibited
9) Referencing other members or protests against moderator actions in your signature is not allowed

Avatar file size is restricted by the forum software to 75x75. Avatar images must be follow the work safe and no-advertising image rules outlined above.

Home page URLs contained in the member profile cannot contain links to non-work safe sites or to non-approved vendor websites.

Members who enable avatars, URLs and signatures that do not follow the guidelines above may receive private or public warnings or may have their images edited or removed without warning. Repeated issues will cause the privilege of having a signature, avatar and/or website URL to be removed as options for that member.

Members should be aware that when placing an item for sale on Club Lexus in the classified area, or when purchasing an item that was posted in the aforementioned area, there is a "buy/sell at your own risk" policy in effect. Items posted without prices may be deleted at any time. Club Lexus is in no way responsible for any transactions that take place as result of a posting on this site. If there is a problem, it needs to be privately resolved between the parties and Club Lexus will not get involved. Please check our iTrader feedback and legacy "Buyer/Seller" feedback area for comments regarding previous transactions from other CLUB LEXUS members. Use iTrader for buyer and seller feedback, including vendors.

For every item, please post a detailed description (condition, part number, color, etc.) and a price - no ‘feeler’ or ‘gathering interest’ posts are allowed, either you’re selling the item or you aren’t. There are no ‘dibs’ honored by posting on the thread; the seller may determine who he/she sells to based on their personal criteria.

For sale and want to buy (“WTB) posts are allowed only in the Club Lexus marketplace forums, not the main forums. If you have an item that can be used across multiple models, pick one and only one classified forum to place the item in, or use the ‘general’ for sale area.

No auction style sales are allowed because they have the propensity to create arguments and bad feelings because of the inherent conflict that bidding for an item creates. Following are examples of auction style posts that are not allowed:

• Private message me an offer on this Lexus part.
• Here’s a link to a Lexus part I’m selling on eBay, check it out!

Only authorized Club Lexus vendors may start posts in the Club Lexus Vendor Marketplace.

Additional topical Club Lexus Marketplace rules are posted at the top of every classified forum. You must read these rules and follow them when posting items for sale.

Only one Club Lexus account is allowed per person. We reserve the right to delete any membership without prior warning. You agree, through the Terms of Service, that you will not use Club Lexus to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory of any kind, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, sexually oriented, racial, ageist, stereotypical, sexist remarks threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise violation of any law. You agree not to use the addresses of any member on the forum for any other purpose than personal communication with that member.

Club Lexus welcomes members of all sexes, races, religions, ethnicities, etc. Both new and existing members should be made to feel welcome and never persecuted. As Club Lexus is currently a male-dominated forum, female members should not be made to feel pressured to meet other forum members, provide personal information, post pictures of themselves, etc.

Members can have their access removed from Club Lexus either temporarily or permanently for violating forum rules or Terms of Service. Moderators generally will provide private and/or public warnings before taking this action, but should the member continue to violate forum rules access will be removed without warning or notification.

Club Lexus has implemented some reasonable restrictions for members who have been on Club Lexus for less than 30 days and have made less than 30 productive posts. This rule is in place to make Club Lexus a safer sales environment and to reduce spam.

1) Creation of threads in our Classified forums is restricted to our active forum members only. This means members must contribute to the discussion forum for a minimum of 30 days AND 30 posts before they can post any items for sale, for trade or want-to-buy. They can respond to existing threads to ask questions and purchase items from qualified members. This rule is due to a significant increase of zero-history members posting high dollar items for sale without vouches.

Members who have been active readers but are infrequent posters will also meet the classified access criteria to create posts after 6 months membership AND 5 productive posts.

2) Signature capability, visitor messaging capability, URL posting ability, full garage access and limiting (smaller) private message boxes are in place for these members who don't meet the 30 day / 30 post criteria as well. This is due to a massive influx of automated and overseas spammers who abuse these features on a daily basis.

Once members meet both the minimum post-count and time criteria, they will be automatically promoted to the group that can post items for sale and have full access to the other capabilities. If members meet these criteria but have not been active on Club Lexus for some time, they must make a post in the discussion forums before being promoted.

Promotions will happen on an automated basis within two days of meeting the minimum criteria, so please be patient.

Only one Club Lexus account is allowed per member. Creating an additional or alternative account for ANY purpose puts your entire Club Lexus account at risk of being permanently banned.

If would like to change your username please post a request in the 'name change' thread which can be found at the top of the Site Suggestions and Questions forum. Read and follow the request rules in that post. If you are having problems with your user account or you are having trouble logging in, do not create a new account. Please PM or email an administrator using the email addresses found on the ‘contact us’ page.

Once Club Lexus access is removed from a member, re-joining Club Lexus under a new member name is forever forbidden unless approved by an administrator (the original account will be reactivated if this is the case). Should a banned member attempt to re-join the forum illegally, Club Lexus has the right to contact the banned member’s ISP or corporate webmaster with a request to remove service and the right to take legal action against the banned member. These same terms apply to members who create secondary accounts in order to circumvent administrative restrictions placed on their account.

IMPORTANT NOTICE to Banned or Restricted Users: If you have your forum features or access restricted, or have been suspended or banned by Club Lexus and attempt to register again using some means to get around the ban such as using another email address, you agree to a $5,000 dollar reinstatement fee. By clicking on the checkbox ‘I have read, and agree to abide by the Club Lexus Forums rules’ to rejoin Club Lexus you have formally agreed to pay this fee. You also agree that any disputes will be resolved in a court of law in a state selected by Club Lexus. Your continued access to the forums is not guaranteed by payment of this fee, nor are you excused from meticulously following the forum rules outlined in this document.

We reserve the right to edit or delete posts or messages for any or no reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold harmless, Club Lexus, The Lexus Community and their agents with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). As a privately owned website we reserve the right to revoke your membership to the forum or disable your posting ability for any or no reason whatsoever.

Except for Club Lexus authorized vendors, vendor sales and advertising of any kind are strictly prohibited in any posting area of Club Lexus forums. This restriction applies to sales via private message (PM), advertising/affiliate links and emails in signatures and links to sales on other forums or websites. This restriction applies to vendors offering services as well as any products. Using Club Lexus membership for product development research is also prohibited without approval of the administrator. Vendors interested in advertising on Club Lexus should contact Internet Brands using the contact form and phone number which can be found by clicking this link

All non-approved advertising threads will be deleted, moved or closed. Members who are vendors or acting on behalf of vendors who ignore these rules will also have their private messaging and / or forum access limited, or their account suspended permanently.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Non-CL-authorized vendors who persist in promotion or advertising on our forums after being requested to desist by a Club Lexus moderator or administrator agree to promptly pay a fee equivalent to no less than the 12 month “gold” Club Lexus sponsor program. By clicking on the checkbox ‘I have read, and agree to abide by the Club Lexus Forums rules’ to join Club Lexus you have formally agreed to pay this fee under this circumstance. You also agree that any disputes will be resolved in a court of law in a state selected by Club Lexus. Remitting the vendor fee does not automatically grant you forum sponsorship or the right to advertise; your company application will be considered based on a number of factors including reputation, time in market, brick & mortar or web presence, interest to Club Lexus members and other factors. Your fee will not be returned if you are not approved.

Vendor rules are in place for two reasons. First, these rules protect our forum members from fly-by-night vendors, rip-off artists, etc who join forums simply to post, take your money and disappear into the night. Second, approved vendors help support Club Lexus financially and they are the primary reason Club Lexus is able to stay up and running. It is fair that only they have limited access to Club Lexus’ over 330,000 members

The opinions and comments made in the posts written by our members are the rights to and the responsibility of the individual member. Club Lexus assumes no responsibility for the content expressed or implied by its membership.

Unless authorized by the administrator, no meets are 'official' Club Lexus sponsored events. We do recognize that our community members as individuals may organize local or regional meets and driving events and we offer the following recommendations:

- Meets should be posted in regional forums only
- Be clear in your initial meeting post stating the purpose/focus of the meet, when it is to be held (date, meet and end times), who is invited and any activities planned. Post detailed maps and directions from multiple directions. Pick central and safe locations for the meet location.

Each driver should be personally responsible for his/her own safety and the safety of those sharing the road with them. For any events involving driving on public roads:

- Always follow all posted rules and regulations (speed limit, road cautions, etc)
- Follow good sense driving rules and caution; road driving is NOT a competition
- Do not tailgate the person in front of you
- No burnouts, drifting or other stunts
- Turn Headlights ON for safety

Club Lexus offers a meeting place for local Lexus clubs beyond our regional geographic forum. If you have an active large local community in your region you can private message the forum administrator for requirements on starting a local club.

All Club Lexus forum rules still apply in regional and club forums. Local club moderators will be appointed (or voted in by club members) to help augment the regular forum moderator team reviews and to organize the local club forums.

Local clubs can make and distribute club materials such as decals and shirts on our forum, but only at-cost (not marked up or for profit) basis. These items are meant to be for the promotion of the local club and not for any individual or business profit. Club promotional items are subject to review and must not use the 'official' Club Lexus logo or other copyrighted materials / trademarks. Similarly any local club enthusiast meet or event that involves an admission fee should be at-cost as well, and not for the benefit of the meet organizers.

For both club promotional items and meets organized on our forum which charge admission fees, all receipts and expenses should be saved and available for review by other club members and/or posted on the forum. The goal of this request is not to create administrative hassle, but to ensure that the product cost or event admission costs are fully transparent to the club. Donations from sponsors or local businesses (either monetary support for food / meet location costs or product giveaway) should always be fully itemized and posted on the forum after the meet, along with the screen names of raffle or contest winners.

Off-forum Lexus clubs can advertise or solicit membership only with the approval of the forum administrator. Link campaigns, PM solicitation of new members and spamming will result in PM capability removal, membership termination and/or URL ban.

Club Lexus Moderators are a group of volunteers to help facilitate discussion on Club Lexus and they interpret and enforce our forum rules. They should not be argued with in public when enforcing forum rules and guidelines. All members are welcome to speak with the moderators about their concerns in a polite and calm manner in private. If you have a complaint, you can contact the administrator.

Ongoing public complaints about warnings and infractions you may receive from a forum moderator are not allowed and should be discussed via private message only with the moderator or administrator. Infractions and warnings can only be viewed by the individual who receives them and the moderator team. Once an issue is resolved, please learn from and move on from it.

Do not smart off to moderators. They are here by choice alone, and have been bestowed the privilege of maintaining this wonderful site, and acting on direct authority from the Owner and Administrator himself to enforce the rules, regulations, etiquette, and desired environment. Harassment of moderators and administrators either on or off-site of Club Lexus may result in immediate suspension of your access to our forum.

If you have any questions, concerns, comments, or issues with a moderator or a moderator decision, DO NOT create a post, please contact an administrator via PM or at [email]info@ClubLexus.com[/email].

In closing…

Thank you for taking the time to read our forum rules. We do ask our members to follow these rules and we do enforce them. These rules do change from time-to-time and are enforced using the version posted via the 'FAQ' link on our forum.

Although it sounds like we’re asking a lot, they make Club Lexus a more mature, readable and helpful forum. We think we have created a very special Lexus enthusiast community and we’re glad you have taken the time to join us.