A small red or yellow dot on your new tires might seem like a random mark or a minor manufacturing quirk, but in fact, these dots are critical indicators that serve an important purpose during tire installation. Understanding what they mean can help ensure that your tires perform optimally and last as long as possible.

What does the red dot mean?
The red dot is typically used to indicate the high point of radial force variation or, in simpler terms, the tire’s stiffest or heaviest point. Tires aren’t perfectly uniform, and this mark shows where the tire might exert slightly more force or be a bit heavier.