Haha love the Lexus brand. Longo Lexus provides you with comfy chairs, drinks, donuts, cookies, baked goods, I love it!

 

Can you help us understand how you feel the build up?

 

On my Honda, I changed the oil when I saw fit. Really, the engine was so bullet-proof it wasn't really a big deal. I'd often top off ~ 1 quart between changes due to burning some oil. Honda == Hold On, Not Done Accelerating, so all that WOT driving meant burning oil.

Toyota has had more issues with engine sludge, so I won't be so lax with my GS.

All that said, if you want to stretch oil change intervals, the only safe way is to get your oil analyzed. There are places who will analyze your oil and tell you all sorts of interesting things, not only gauge how much life is left in it, but also contaminants which can point to mechanical issues. Folks who get big on doing this will often install a spigot on their drain pan so they can easily bleed a little out & send to the lab, or you can use a long oil syringe to pull from the dip tube.

 

I brought my to the largest lexus dealership in the US, Arlington Lexus in Illinois. They have 2 hydromassage chairs, 4-5 "regular" massage chairs, a movie theater, an arcade and play room for kids, exercise room, virtual golf, and snacks, coffee, pop. lol

 

I just got the "maintenance due soon" notice in the MID. My current odometer reading is 27,830...does that mean is still have almost 2k/mi to go or did the oil get changed sometime earlier and now the "10k/mi" schedule is a little off?

The car is new to me (about two months), so this is my first go around with the oil change.

There also seems to be a way to get reminders from the main screen, under settings. Is this totally separate from the message in the MID or are they linked together?

 

My reminders seem to click on every 5k miles but I just reset it. I go in every 7,500-10000 miles for my oil changes. My local Lexus dealer charges anywhere between $75-90 for just an oil change.

 

Since I am getting the "maintenance due soon", how can I tell EXACTLY what needs to be done? As I get closer to the actual "time" will I get a message with more detailed information?

If you just get MAINTENANCE DUE messages, how do you know if it's for an oil change or just the intermediate check?

 

Oil change at 5k, 10k, yadi-yadi-yada!
Follow this instead... You can actually feel the car's response to your inputs everyday and there are clues when it is time to change oil.

Your MPG is gradually going down + your acceleration is not what it used to be right after a fresh oil change.

You follow this oil change clues and your car will last for a long time, you could put off these signs for a few more months if you eye on the 10k interval, but I am pretty sure by the time you reach 10k, your MPG will be significantly down. My experience with the 4GS after a few oil changes, 7k miles is the sweet spot/best compromise.

 

You are kidding, right?

 

I would hope so. If you can feel and see the difference you are doing damage to your cylinder walls/piston rings which will result in power loss and increased oil consumption.

 

no hes not kidding. 7k seems about right. big thing with oil changes is also driving habits. only you know that. and what you said is not true. at all.