I do every 5-6K AT MOST - running either M1 Extended Wear or Pennz Platinum (when Wally World is out of the 5qt jugs of M1-E).
With the M1-E, you are "supposed to" be able to get 15K with their filters. I wouldn't even attempt that.
Most of my driving is stop-n-go, I idle a lot. I get "spasms" in my right foot, resulting in the pedal being pushed to the floor frequently (yes officer, it is a medical condition).
I did my last change at 6K, with 35% still showing on the console. First change at 1K, and added magnets to the drain plug and on the filter (Dimple - they go on everything I own that uses motor oil).
I'll be doing a change RIGHT BEFORE my next "towing trip" (7K lbs from FTL to Asheville & back), and usually RIGHT AFTER.
$45 for oil and filter (I do my own labor) is CHEAP INSURANCE for an engines longevity (IMHO). There's NO SUCH THING AS CHANGING YOUR OIL TOO OFTEN.
I pulled the valve covers on my Honda Pilot at 90K miles (of my typical abusive driving style) of M1-E - clean as a whistle, no sludge, very little varnish.
Using a good quality oil of the CORRECT VISCOSITY, and changing religiously - especially on VVT motors that use OIL as the "hydraulic fluid" in the control components of the VVT systems - is the key to keeping them running long and efficient (yeah - because 7MPG at 80MPH towing is REALLY EFFICIENT - but I didn't buy this thing for it's "great fuel efficiency").
So basically for me - the oil change indicator just tells me when I've been a REAL SPACE CASE, and forgot to do my change (or I forgot to reset it). But I keep maintenance logs and receipts anyways.
Rick
Side question here: How many people ACTUALLY PULL THE DIPSTICK and check you oil levels between changes? How much are you burning between changes?