What Do the Red and Yellow Dots on New Tires Mean?
If you've ever taken a close look at a brand new tire, you may have noticed small colored dots on the sidewall; usually red, yellow, or both. These aren't just for decoration. They're used by tire manufacturers to help with proper mounting and balancing. Here’s what each dot means and why it matters.
The Yellow Dot: Light Spot Indicator
The yellow dot marks the lightest point of the tire. Wheels, even new ones, often have a heavy spot, usually near the valve stem. When mounting a tire, technicians will typically align the yellow dot with the valve stem to balance out the tire and wheel assembly more efficiently.
Doing this can reduce the amount of weight needed during the balancing process, which helps the tire perform better and wear more evenly over time.
The Red Dot: Uniformity Mark or High Point
The red dot shows the highest point on the tire’s sidewall, also called the high point of radial runout. This is the part of the tire that sticks out the most when spinning. Some wheels will have a dimple or sticker that indicates their lowest point. Aligning the red dot with that low point can help minimize vibration and create a smoother ride.
If the wheel doesn’t have a low point mark, or if you're unsure, it’s usually best to prioritize the yellow dot and align it with the valve stem instead.
What If There Are Both Red and Yellow Dots?
This is where it gets a little tricky. If a tire has both a red and a yellow dot, follow the red dot. It takes priority because matching the high point of the tire to the low point of the wheel can have a bigger impact on ride quality than balancing alone. That said, some technicians may choose to prioritize the yellow dot if the wheel doesn’t have any markings or if it results in a better balance with less weight.
Should You Be Concerned If the Dots Don’t Line Up?
Not necessarily. These dots are simply a starting point for tire shops and installers. Tires may still need to be rotated on the rim slightly and balanced with wheel weights. The goal is to achieve a smooth balance with the fewest weights possible. If your tires were mounted and balanced correctly, there’s nothing to worry about. But if you start to feel a vibration or notice uneven wear, it’s a good idea to have a shop check the balance and possibly remount the tires.
In Short
• Yellow dot = lightest point of the tire, should line up with the valve stem
• Red dot = highest point of the tire, should line up with the wheel’s low point (if marked)
• Both dots = prioritize red if the wheel has a low point indicator, otherwise go with yellow
Knowing what these dots mean is one of those cool bits of behind the scenes knowledge that makes you a more informed driver, or a tire nerd, and that’s a good thing.
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