Blue dot on front left wheel | FerrariChat

Blue dot on front left wheel

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by flyingboa, Jan 9, 2004.

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  1. flyingboa

    flyingboa Formula 3

    Nov 27, 2003
    1,564
    Italy/India
    Full Name:
    Eugenio
    Again, just a curiosity.
    My car has a blue dot on the front left rim. I have seen other ferrari with the same dot. Can anybody explain me what is the reason (if any)for it?

    Ciao

    Eugenio
     
  2. dwhite

    dwhite F1 Rookie

    Ah yes, this was probably left on by the previous owner when he got the replacement rim from K-Mart. Just kidding, but it might be the spare which was put on at another time.
     
  3. flyingboa

    flyingboa Formula 3

    Nov 27, 2003
    1,564
    Italy/India
    Full Name:
    Eugenio
    That is not possible as the spare is a smaller size and is still, untouched, in the front boot...
    Any other idea?

    Ciao

    Eugenio
     
  4. pino

    pino Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    208
    South Central PA
    Could it be used to indicate where the valve stem is located on the wheel? (For factory or manufacturing purposes?)
     
  5. CraigFL

    CraigFL Formula Junior

    Jan 17, 2001
    954
    Panama City, FL
    Full Name:
    Craig
    Isn't that the Blaupunkt dot? :)
     
  6. flyingboa

    flyingboa Formula 3

    Nov 27, 2003
    1,564
    Italy/India
    Full Name:
    Eugenio
    Apart from having a hole for the valve, the blu "blaupunkt style" dot is only on one rim. So, again, why?

    Ciao

    Eugenio
     
  7. spencerooney

    spencerooney Karting

    May 20, 2003
    94
    ct.
    Full Name:
    Clay Anderson
    I was told when I had the ppi on my 85 308 that the blue dot was put on at the factory to signify that the car was all checked out and ready for shipment to the dealer.

    Hope this helps - Roger
     
  8. LSU348

    LSU348 Formula 3

    Dec 19, 2003
    1,047
    Sugar Land
    Full Name:
    Mike
    My spare has the blue dot. Bet that is what it means.

     
  9. joeyy

    joeyy Karting

    Nov 11, 2003
    190
    long island
    Full Name:
    joe
    the thieves put that marker on so they know which one to take!! Ha Ha!
     
  10. Dr_ferrari

    Dr_ferrari Formula 3
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,067
    Pocono Sportscar
    Full Name:
    Jim McGee
    the blue dot is put on by the factory when the wheel is mounted and balanced. I suppose a good thing to have if you want a really original car.

    Unfortunatly, the blue dot in your picture is not original. It is much too big and I suppose someone placed it there to make the wheel like original.

    Best regards, Jim
     
  11. mike550

    mike550 Formula Junior

    Aug 20, 2003
    859
    California - LA & SF
    Full Name:
    Mike G
    After reading this thread, I went out and checked and noticed that I also have a blue dot on one of my rims - it is the same size as the one in the Eugenio's photo. Very strange.
     
  12. flyingboa

    flyingboa Formula 3

    Nov 27, 2003
    1,564
    Italy/India
    Full Name:
    Eugenio
    This seems to be the more reasonable explanation. As far as the size is concerned (Dr_ferrari post) all the other blue dots I have seen on different ferraris (not too many, I admit) are the same dimensions than mine.

    Ciao

    Eugenio
     
  13. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 20, 2003
    51,457
    SFPD
    Full Name:
    Dirty Harry
    mike550 - it's... it's glowing...
     
  14. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2002
    5,966
    Milton, Wash.
    Full Name:
    Jeff B.
    I have worked at new car dealerships where the mechanic who did the PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) would put a blue dot onto the car (usually on the corner of the windscreen) to indicate that the inspection had been completed and the car was ready for demonstration and sale. Before the dot was applied, the car was NOT to be test driven by the salesmen. The PDI includes vital fluid checks, wheel lug bolt torque, tire pressures, light functions, etc.
     
  15. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 20, 2003
    51,457
    SFPD
    Full Name:
    Dirty Harry
    In other words, it's a mattress tag for Ferrari?
     
  16. Ferrari_tech

    Ferrari_tech Formula 3

    Jul 28, 2003
    1,527
    UK
    Full Name:
    Malcolm W
    The blue dot was put on by the factory, lefthand drive cars had it on the lefthand front wheel and similary righthand cars had it on the righthand front wheel, as stated it signified that the car was ready to go to the relevant importer. Normally the sticker was removed by the selling dealer prior to delivery to the customer.

    MW
     
  17. Corsa

    Corsa Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    109
    Stockholm
    Full Name:
    Peter
    #17 Corsa, Jan 22, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  18. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2002
    5,966
    Milton, Wash.
    Full Name:
    Jeff B.
    If it does not say "Do Not Remove" on the dot or in the owner's handbook, then remove it if you want. I would.
     
  19. milstanselnino

    milstanselnino Formula Junior

    Jan 8, 2004
    573
    MN
    Full Name:
    Jon P.
    I'm beginning to see spots
     
  20. KKSBA

    KKSBA F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2003
    14,921
    SBarbara-La Jolla CA
    Full Name:
    KKSBA
    If they're blue, see a doctor quick!
     
  21. tifosi

    tifosi F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa

    Sep 5, 2001
    5,382
    texas
    Full Name:
    Tom D
    the dots should be replaced every 30k, dealers charge $100 to do this
     
  22. KKSBA

    KKSBA F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2003
    14,921
    SBarbara-La Jolla CA
    Full Name:
    KKSBA
    Is this something a dealer has to do, or can I do it myself. I mean, will it affect the value of the car if I change-out the dot myself?
     
  23. Dutchman

    Dutchman F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 4, 2002
    6,184
    EU
    Full Name:
    Ton
    Well, I have the same dot on my left front wheel. I wonder why it is there. Is this some kind of international conspiracy?

    :)

    Ton
     
  24. Dutchman

    Dutchman F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 4, 2002
    6,184
    EU
    Full Name:
    Ton
    You have to admit that it is a lovely wheel!

    :)
     
  25. ASG 86TR

    ASG 86TR Formula 3

    Aug 23, 2001
    1,474
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Adam G
    Never saw a blue dot at any of the factories I have worked at. Typicaly the rims came with a green reflective dot where the valve stem was, and a similar dot or stripe on the tire where the heaviest spot of the tire was. This let the automatic mounter line up the tire to the rim. It helped with the amount of weights that were required by the auto balancer. The Blue dot is prob an inspection sticker.
     

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