Modern tyre manufacturing introduces small variations in tyre weight and shape, even when tyres are built to strict tolerances. Because of this, tyre manufacturers use red and yellow dots on the tyre outer to indicate special balance points.
These red and yellow dots are balancing dots that help tyre fitters mount tyres in the optimal position for balance and performance. If these dots are aligned, you will reduce the amount of weight required for balancing. The less lead weight used, the lower the wheel balancing cost.
The yellow dot is placed where the tyre has the least weight. It indicates the tyre’s lightest point. It is also called the low-point dimple or the “light static balance point”.
The red dot indicates the spot of the tyre’s high or heaviest point. Sometimes referred to as the “radial force variation first harmonic maximum”.
The tyre is designed to be slightly lighter in the lower area where the yellow dot is, and the tyre rubber is slightly thicker at the top, where the red dot is.
Tyre fitters should therefore usually align the yellow dot with the wheel’s lowest point, known as the valve stem. As most wheels are heavier at the valve stem (especially those with TPMS tyre valves fitted), aligning the tyre’s lightest spot (yellow dot) with the wheel’s heaviest reduces the amount of balance weights needed.
The process is usually the same: simply align the yellow dot with the wheel’s valve stem to offset the valve’s weight at the tyre’s lightest point.
Some, but not all, manufacturers mark the wheel rim with the heaviest point; in that case, place the yellow dot on the tyre opposite that point.
If you have any tyre-changing questions or need help or advice on buying your next wheel balancer, please get in touch today on 01302 203 888.
