On the sidewall of most new tires are red and yellow painted dots. These are markers to be aligned with particular points on the wheel. The alignment matters for the balancing of the wheel. When tires are made, they’re almost never perfectly balanced. Most manufacturers place a yellow dot on the section of the tire where there’s the least weight. The technician is then supposed to line up the yellow dot with where the valve stem is located, which is the heaviest point of the wheel. By aligning the lightest spot on the tire with the heaviest point on the wheel, the tire balance is as close to optimal as can be. That means tires will be quieter and give you a more comfortable ride, as well as giving you a longer-lasting tire life. All these add up to significant savings for the owner. Red dots on tires are there because tires are never perfectly round. They have high and low points because of where the belts are joined, and these points can cause vibrations when a tire is rolling. The red dot indicates the tire's high point and the wheel will have either a drilled dot or a sticker to indicate its low point. When lining up the two dots, the vibration will be minimized. So, the next time you have tires mounted, you might want to make sure the technician follows these tips. You'll get a smoother ride for less money, and your tires will also last longer.
