Match-Mounting Steel Wheels
On models equipped with steel wheels, tires and wheels are match-mounted at the assembly plant. This means that the radially stiffest part of the tire (or "high spot") is matched to the smallest radius (or "low spot") of the wheel, which helps to provide the smoothest possible ride. The "high spot" of the tire is originally marked by a paint dot on the outboard sidewall. This paint dot will eventually wash off the tire. The "low spot" of the wheel is originally marked by paint dot on wheel rim-flange.
Properly assembled, the wheel rim's paint dot should be aligned with the tire's paint dot as shown in illustration. See Fig 1. Whenever a tire is dismounted from its wheel, it should be remounted so that the tire and wheel are matched. If tire's paint dot cannot be located, a line should be scribed on the tire and wheel before dismounting to assure that it is remounted in the same position.