Normal would be a DD, back and forth to work, generally the normal day to day stuff, probably 10k to 12k a year. Abnormal would be tracking, off roading, long distances, high mileage per year. Several years ago now but I was driving 50k a year for 6 years, now I consider that abnormal.
Its been a while since I visited this thread.
Frankly, this isn't a difficult choice. Just follow the recommendations in the Owner's Manual. Be sure the oil meets or exceeds the API requirements, match the viscosity to the ambient temperature range and follow the change interval.
Sure, you can debate/agonize which oil is best, but if the oil meets or exceeds the API requirements........then what is the gain?
Viscosity can vary to some extent, but 5w30 or 10w30 or 0w20 will satisfy the temperature ranges in the continental USA. The 0w20 oil is to squeeeze out a little more efficiency for EPA fleet requirements.
Change interval.......well this all depends on how much sludge or oil degradation you want to sustain while considering the risk of engine trouble. The engineers who designed, built and tested these engines for 1000s of hours probably know a thing or two about the change interval.
Personally, I use either Quaker, Valvoline or Pennzoil full syn oil in the 5w30 viscosity and regular changes at 5000 miles with a new Wix, Bosch or ACDelco filter each change. This is a DIY task for me. My cost is less than $40 and about 30 minutes of time. The local NAPA store recycles used motor oil.
FWIW, no one can determine the condition of oil using visual observation. Shoot, some oils of the same viscosity and different brands have different color fresh from the bottles.