A method of resetting an active emissions system error indicator associated with a vehicle. The method comprises performing at least a first requesting step, where the requesting step is performed indirectly by using a record mode function until said active e emissions system error indicator resets in response to the requesting step. In one embodiment an additional step comprises the additional step of performing at least a second requesting step for a second type of information, the second requesting step performed either manually or by the record mode function. In a particular embodiment of the invention, an electronic tool, such as a bi-directional scan tool, is used to perform the firsgt and second requesting steps.