What Are the Yellow and Red Markings on Tires

Question:

I noticed in the pictures there was a yellow mark on the inside of the wheel. Wondering whats the yellow mark on the inside of the wheel? and does it correspond to some of the marks you see on tires? i see tires with yellow dots and tires with yellow and red dots. can you explain? Thanks

asked by: Wendelin B

Expert Reply:

Tires have a heavy spot and a light spot, so the markings on the tires applied in the manufacturing process, are intended to be a guide for tire technicians so they have an idea of where to mount the tire on the wheel. It's important to point out that trailer tire and wheel combos, like # LHAW124, come assembled this way, which offers sufficient balancing for most trailer applications.

Although not required, you can choose to have the tire/wheel dynamically balanced at a shop, however, it does require a special pin plate adapter that most shops no longer have.

Some tires have only a yellow dot indicating the heavy spot which ideally should be lined up with the valve stem on the wheel for proper balancing. Some tires have both a red and yellow dot, in which case the red dot should be lined up with the valve stem.

What you noticed on the inside of the wheel is simply a yellow manufacturer sticker that is irrelevant to the mounting or balancing process.

The FAQ link provided at the bottom of the page goes on to explain this in a little more detail.

expert reply by: Carla M