I am not sure what "Options - Test High Gear in Highway Mode Spark" is for? Mine is unchecked and HiWay Lean cruise works fine.

Setting HiWay mode spark adds timing when in HiWay Lean Cruise, leaner mixture burns slower so this can be an advantage. Maximum spark allowed is 41.84 and you should not be hitting that much unless your decelerating, high vacuum/low kpa reading. Look at your spark table. I've added in 2 degrees in the entire table HiWay Spark table and checked for lean misfire with wideband O2 sensor. Could add more and others have but I like to keep it well inside safe area.

The ESC test is done once every time engine is started after qualifiers are met and forces engine to knock. Untill this test is done, or turned off, you will not get added PE or HiWay spark.