The 2011 IS we had was specced for synthetic and 10k mile oil changes. You should have no problem going 7-10k using most major brand full synthetic oils.

 

I've done synthetic oil analysis on 3 different cars that have over 100k miles: LX470, TSX, and a Pilot. TBN test revealed that the oil is good for about 10k miles, and even 12-13k miles on the LX

 

Well, it's not like the car has a built in "oil monitor" that looks at the viscosity, TBN, etc. to determine if the oil is still within parameters like a analysis would. I hope you didn't read it that way. It has a OLM that determines oil life based on rpms, miles, temperature, etc. to determine when you should change the oil. It's not really analyzing the oil but rather analyzing the car and estimating when you should change it.

You wouldn't be able to "feel" if the oil is good anyway. If you were able to feel grit/shavings on the oil that's on the dipstick you'd be in trouble. The filter filters out particles rated in microns. although I'm not sure what microns size it filters at and to what efficiency. Something is telling me 20 microns but I'm not sure.

 

I was not aware that Lexus vehicles have an OLM - all of ours have had a maintenance reminder that alerts you every 5k miles that service is due.

 

Yeah, you are right. I forgot about that because Toyota doesn't have it either. My bad.

 

Btw, if you plan on doing your self the car uses 6.5 quarts. I ended up buying to 5 quart oil specials of mobil 1 performance oil. For $33 for 5 quarts and oil filter

 

I don't really know how it works but would love to understand it better. The reminder light came on for the first service on my RX when it hit about 4800 miles, then the second service around 9700 miles (currently 11600 miles on the OD). The light for the first service in my IS came on at about 4200 miles (currently at 7800 miles on the OD).

 

Maybe the light comes on a few hundred miles before the 5 and 10k just as a warning? I know you can also customize several settings in setting>vehicle>maintenance and set oil, filter, tires, etc for miles, date, or odometer.

 

5k miles/8k km is the interval in Canada due to the harsher climate. Folks who live in the northern states enduring similar harsh winters and intense city stop and go driving would be prudent to consider following the Canadian interval if they plan on keeping the car beyond the warranty period.

PS to the OP. My oil was changed 1500 km ago and looks like yours. I'd say it's normal.