Colored Dots on Tires: What Do They Mean?

The colored dots on your tires are not a factory or shop accident. In fact, knowing how to use them can save you a lot of headaches.

You've probably noticed small colored dots on your car's tires. They're not decorative, nor are they accidental. These marks contain useful information that can make tire maintenance easier.

Here's why these colored dots are important and why you should be aware of them. These marks are used to facilitate wheel balancing. While it's possible to balance wheels without them, these marks make the task much easier. Proper wheel balancing not only affects driving comfort but also enhances suspension performance and vehicle safety. When a car's wheels are out of balance, the tire is unevenly distributed around the circumference of the wheel. As a result, the car may lose stability, especially when driving at high speeds.

Additionally, when purchasing tires, it's important not to skimp on quality. If you buy the cheapest tires, the tread can wear out quickly, forcing you to replace them sooner, which means spending more money in the long run. The most common color dots are red and yellow. However, not all tire manufacturers use color codes in the same way. Some manufacturers may use only one dot, while others may use two, depending on the brand's specific characteristics.

The red dot refers to the maximum radial force variation (RFV). Using this red dot and a wheel balancing machine, professionals can correctly balance the wheel by installing counterweights on the rim to counteract the RFV. On some tires, instead of a red dot, you might see a triangle serving the same function.

The yellow mark, on the other hand, indicates the lightest part of the tire. The best practice is to align this point with the air valve on the rim, which is the heaviest part of the wheel. This helps maintain balance and reduces the risk of simultaneous damage to the tire and wheel during a severe impact. However, if there is an "L" mark on the rim, it is considered more important than the valve, and the yellow mark should be placed on the opposite side of this mark.