[TopMomm]

OK, this really isn't maintenance, but I thought I'd stick it here for lack of a better spot. Since all of you seem so nice -- haven't heard a smart-alecky response yet! -- I thought I'd try this question.

It may be something everyone else knows, but I don't. Why are there orange dots on all four of my Pilot's tires? Looks like a painted-on orange dot... Does this mean that's the outside of the tire or something? Kind of unsightly, if you ask me...

Thoughts? Answers?

Thanks!

Diane

 

[davemac]

promotion

Toppmom, I'm thinking maybe you're in a rush to eclipse the "30 post mark" to shed that Junior Member title.

 

[hondacuraplanet]

I may be wrong, but if i remember correctly, those dots are put on the tires when they are balancing them on the assembly line. Some companies use stickers for the same purpose.

 

[03pilot]

I think I have seen this on my Pilot as well. Can't remember if they were stickers or dots painted on the tires. Will check and post tomorrow. Do they go away after a while ?

I may be wrong, but if i remember correctly, those dots are put on the tires when they are balancing them on the assembly line. Some companies use stickers for the same purpose.

 

[Threadhead]

I agree with Tim, I'll bet they are balancing marks they put on tires. You could try a little rubbing alcohol or Goof Off to see if that takes them off.

 

[TopMomm]

Thanks, Thread and Tim, for shedding some light on those mysterious tire marks. Balancing marks makes sense!

Of course, my tires have had to be rebalanced twice since I got the car, so maybe the dots meant, "These tires are duds."

 

[bengelking]

Dots

Mine look more red, but I've got them too.

I will bet they will wear off after a few washes. Gives you more of an excuse to keep that Pilot clean!

 

[banningjr]

It's been a while since I actually had tires with dots on them but I believe if you want them removed right away 409 did the trick. (I think, it's been almost 7 years since I actually had them.)

 

[r_hammel]

Funny, mine don't have these "dots". I wonder if my dealer washed them off. If 409 doesn't work, try Bug & Tar remover. That stuf takes off all kinds of car crap.

 

[renov8r]

Including...

Funny, mine don't have these "dots". I wonder if my dealer washed them off. If 409 doesn't work, try Bug & Tar remover. That stuf takes off all kinds of car crap.

...rubber!
<a href="http://216.239.51.100/search?q=cacheYWWNXdNbBoC:www.gunk.ca/prodsht-eng/tr1c.doc+Bug+%26+tar+remover+caution+rubber&hl=en&ie=UTF-8"> Tar & Bug Remover Warning </a>

I'm pretty sure that paint dot is from a water based 'marker pen'. Water (and a bit of the ol elbow grease) is the way to go.

 

[FSDO]

dem darn dots

as a pilot and aircraft mechanic i can say that on aircraft tires the dots are the lightest part of the tire because they always correspond to the valve stem which is the heavest part of the tube or the yellow stripe on the tube .... but on cars i dunno !!! opps too much info here but i just found out i need thiry posts so im not called junior anymore . gets too confusing since thats the name of my cat as well .. junior i mean

 

[r_hammel]

So renov8r, are you actually afraid that Bug & Tar remover would eat a hole in a tire? I don't think so. I think maybe you are a little too paranoid.