That knock sensor is a neat feature because it can detect a lean misfire/detonation situation that can kill any motor! Fuel starvation/lean operation is a significant problem with E-10 gas because the extra oxygen in the fuel causes it to burn very hot and can cause piston/cylinder wall scuffing. I asked the wizards on the E-Tec owners forum if BRP had considered using an oxygen sensor in the exhaust to detect lean operation, ala Yamaha HPDI. The reply was that BRP did consider that, but O2 sensors are a PITA from a reliability/maintenance standpoint, and that knock sensors would do the same thing but more reliably.
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