Ha, that's no doubt just two of the reasons you get 80K miles out of your Tires

jcarcich2000,
One other thing that many don't know is...
Tires need/should have a break in period, much like the engine of a new vehicle.

Most Manufacturers consider that to be about 500 miles, using pressure set just under the Maximum Cold Inflation Pressure (MCIP), listed on the Sidewall of the Tire. (that would be like 42-43 psi for my General HTS')
BUT, the Tires you choose may have different MCIP, so use "that" number for your pressure reference.

In actuality, when you get your new Rubber, it's not totally cured, and this period finalizes that. The higher pressures provide a more stable environment for that process.

Personally, I use that higher pressure throughout the life of my Tires. Besides providing better Gas Mileage, there are several other reasons why this enhances their performance characteristics. I find this a very positive tradeoff, for a slightly firmer ride. The Maximum Cold Inflation Pressure listed on the sidewall of each tire, is the Manufacturers guarantee that it can safely be operated at that pressure for its life.

 

Goodyear Silent Armor pro-grades. Best tire i have purchased to date, great in snow/ice and super quiet.

 

I've gone through four sets of tires on my '02 Tahoe.

Toyo Proxes - very nice, sporty, sticky, lasted 60k miles.

Toyo Open Country - knobby, got a little loud toward end of life, but I account it to not rotating enough - 65k miles.

Michellin Latitude Tour - very quiet, comfortable, highway tire, plenty of grip, never had any slippage - 70k miles.

Hankook Dynapro HP - very quiet, comfortable, highway tire, plenty of grip. I'm running these now and have to say that I don't feel any difference from the Michellin Latitiude Tour, and were much cheaper. I've got about 10k miles on these now and happy with wet and dry performance. I'm not near snow, so I can't comment on snow performance.