YEA! I FOUND OUT HOW TO DISABLE THE AUTO-LOCK SYSTEM!
Found an old post by Hunt416 from May of 2005. Here's how to disable the auto-lock feature!

2005 Hunt416 wrote:
"The manual is wrong. The method for enabling or disabling the auto-lock is as follows:
Get in the car with the doors closed. Put key in Ignition. Press and hold the door lock button on the console (up to disable autolock, down to enable auto-lock). While holding the door lock button, turn the ignition to on. Do not start the car. Hold for about 5 to 10 seconds."

I discovered this by trial and error, and it was way back in September when I got the car, so I may be a little off on the exact routine. Good Luck.

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