I just bought some new tires (from Jim at Tirerack) and had them installed locally at a tire store (not a gas station).

So here's my question. If you look at new tires you will find a red dot on each tire on the sidewall near the bead. I have always been told that the manufacturer puts this red dot on to signify the lightest part of the tire. Therefore during installation the red dot is supposed to be aligned with the valve stem so as to minimize the amount or size of balancing weights. At any rate, the installer did not do this on any of the 4 tires.

So, is my understanding of the red dot correct? If so shouldn't any reputable tire dealer knbow that? How important is it? Anybody know?

 

My understanding is the same, lightest side of tire = red dot.
I have always found that if I wanted the tires mounted this way - I had to go out of my way to ask for it. Seems the tire jockey is often too rushed to take the time to look for a red dot, and lots of tires don't even have them.

Bottom line, if they are balanced properly it will not make a difference, other than you might be hauling around an extra ounce or two.

 

The tire mfg's use different color marks to mean different things. It could mean the hihg point of radial force. Some mfg's do put a dot at the tire lightest spot. It doesn't have to end up with the dot at the valve stem for a correct balance. Some time it may be 180 degree opposite.
The match mount used to be more important but the new balance machines are much better.

Jim

 

Jim and Triple-H, thanks for your responses.