[redpoint5]

I know that increasing tire pressure lowers rolling resistance, but I'm wondering what pressure is best for getting the longest life out of the tire. On my bike, I go through a rear tire in approximately 3,000 miles, so extending the life of the tire might be more "green" than saving a marginal amount of fuel.

If a tire is inflated towards the max pressure, it presents a smaller contact patch to the road, so I would assume wear would be mostly limited to that smaller contact patch. However, if pressure is reduced, the area of the contact patch increases. Would this spread the wear out more evenly across the tire?

I know guys run lower pressure during track days, myself included. I'm just wondering if the lower pressure might also extend the usable life of the tire.