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Hi, I have just joined the AA and am delighted to find this forum. I am wondering if you can help me with a question that is bothering me about a vehicle I purchased recently. It is a 1995 Toyota RAV4 two door with 2 litre engine and manual transmission. It has full time four wheel drive. There is a prominent button on the dash that apparently locks the centre diff when pressed. When released there is a beeping for a few seconds, apparently as the locking disengages. As this was originally an import all the handbooks are in Japanese. I have had various opinions on how to use this button ranging from popping it in and out while driving to needing to come to a complete halt and making sure the front wheels are straight before engaging or disengaging. I only use the vehicle on sealed or gravel roads, so am I likely to ever need it? If not, and if engaging it while on the move could cause damage as some have told me it can, is there an easy way to disable the button, as it is way too easy to bump when reaching for the CD player. Thank you heaps in advance for any thoughts on this matter.

The system is designed to be engaged or disengaged at speeds under approx 40km/h, however it is preferable to come to a standstill. In theory, it won't engage at higher speeds, although we understand that under certain circumstances, it will.
As it's an electric clutch with speed dependant parameters, it shouldn't do any damage if you accidentally hit the button, although we'd advise against it.
For your information, there is a company called JPNZ who can provide copies of handbooks for Japanese imports.

Oh, that's a relief. Thank you so much for your prompt and very helpful answer. And thanks for the pointer to the handbook web site. I'm off to have a look at it now. Again, my grateful thanks, and the compliments of the season to you.

YES! Just went off to that web site you pointed me to and purchased an owner's handbook for my little RAV4. Now I will have to wait a bit I close this close to Christmas, but it's on it's way. Many thanks.

Just as a brief follow up, the RAV4 owner's handbook arrived very promptly. The translation is excellent, with only a couple of slightly funny bits, which don't obscure the meaning at all. The book is well bound and professionally presented, so I am recommend this business to anyone else looking for an English handbook for their Jap import. Many thanks to the forum member who pointed me to this.