What Does a Red or Yellow Dot on Your Tires Mean?
Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.
If you had new tires installed recently, red and yellow paint dots on the sidewall are perfectly normal. Here's why they're there.
Do those red and yellow paint dots on tires mean the tires are on sale? Is there something wrong with tires marked with these dots? Do the dots indicate where or when the tires were made?
Nope, nope and nope. They aren’t just weird car features, either. Here’s what’s really going on with these dots: Because it’s nearly impossible to manufacture a perfectly balanced, perfectly round tire, manufacturers identify any irregularities with these dots of paint. The dots then help service technicians correctly install and balance the tire. Properly balanced tires and wheels are critical to driving comfort and safety, and those paint dots help make that happen.
Note: When a tire (the black rubber part that wears out) is mounted onto a wheel (the round metal part the tire is attached to), it’s referred to as a tire/wheel assembly.
Where are the paint dots placed?
The yellow dots identify where a tire weighs the least—the lightest point on a tire. The yellow dot should be lined up and directly next to the valve stem, which is the wheel’s heaviest point.