So I was washing the Max today, and I don't know if it's just my car, or if this has even ever been brought up before.

I was cleaning the wheels when I noticed a gray dot on one. I figured someone had splashed paint (previous owner was an interior designer), no big deal. But on closer inspection, I noticed there's a gray dot on all four of my my wheels.

Does anyone else have these? Or any insight into why my Max might have these dots? I was going to remove them, but if they're to note some sort of factory recall, I may just leave them.

No pics...but I can get them if someone really feels they need 'em.

Edit: Going to take pics. Back shortly...

no clue w/o pics

Hmm... my brother's BMW has chrome rims that has strange dots from reactions with those tire blackening stuff's over spray hahahaha!

hey maybe u can take a picture of what you mean id wanna take a look cuz i think i got the same

I've got pictures of them. It's just that my computer decided it didn't want to read my SD card for whatever reason. I'll get them posted one way or another.

Those dots mark the heavy spot on the rim. Tires have dot's marking the light spot. When you align the dots on the tire with the dots on the rim you are match mounting the wheel & tire. This usually yields a better balance.

You can go to www.tirerack.com for more info on tire and wheel markings.

That is interesting. I had never heard that before. You learn something new everyday.

the 350z rims i picked up have little blue dots on them, i have been too lazy to clean it off but at least i know what they are now

Are you serious? I went looking for more, and found this reference: "In the absence of specific wheel markings, align the tire's red balance mark with the wheel inflation valve."

I've always noticed those dots, too, but they seem so unintentional.

That's really amazing.

My old Z wheels had blue dots. Maybe it means they're OEM or something?

any pics??

dude, maybe it was the meter maid with the crayon & she was coming back for your max in an hour.

Shocked that nobody has posted a pic yet.
Dr J

Yeah...my computer still doesn't want to read my SD card, and I lost my mini-usb. So until I can get a new one or fix my SD reader, no pics here..

my stock 2K2 rims had those dots too.

Here's a picture. See the dot. Touch it. Love it.

I've since spoken to the Service Manager at my local dealership, who worked in tires at his previous job, and yes, the dot is the balancing high-point on the rim, marked so by the wheel manufacturer. They don't all do it, and they don't all do it on the front painted surface (dumb). Absent a balancing mark, they use the valve stem area to line up with the balancing high point in the tire.

Now that I know what it is, I can appreciate it's purpose, just not the execution.

Curious, is this noted in the factory service manual or a TSB?
Dr J