Measurement Principle
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 10 other vehicles, including the 2010 BMW M6, 2010 BMW M5, 2009 BMW M6, 2009 BMW M5, and 2008 BMW M6. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
A constant measurement voltage is applied to the spark plug immediate after the ignition spark. The chemical process of combustion produces free electrons and ions. Hence, some electrical current is flowing, which is measured and analyzed.