The 1996 Lincoln Town Car represents the last strong era of traditional American full-size luxury sedans, with rear-wheel-drive proportions, a smooth highway character, and the formal styling that made the Town Car a familiar choice for private owners and professional service alike. Tire selection matters here because this exact model year uses two different radial sizes depending on sub-model: 215/70R15 or 225/60R16. That creates a real choice not only in wheel diameter, but also in sidewall presentation, tire series, and brand selection. For a stock Town Car, the first step is matching the correct size to the exact trim before comparing appearance, ride character, and overall fitment details.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1996 Lincoln Town Car
The 1996 Lincoln Town Car uses two primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the specific sub-model and wheel diameter. Some versions use a 15-inch wheel with 215/70R15 tires, while others use a 16-inch wheel with 225/60R16 tires. Before choosing a tire, confirm the exact trim and the actual wheel diameter on the car, especially if it has ever been changed from stock.
Fit(s): Anniversary, Cartier, and Signature w/Optional Ride Pkg.
Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
225/60R16 is a metric radial size that identifies a tire with a 225-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series aspect ratio, and fitment for a 16-inch wheel. On the 1996 Lincoln Town Car, this size is a primary radial fitment for selected sub-models that use the larger wheel package. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Goodyear, and Travelstar, with sidewall treatments such as redline, pin white stripe, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, and raised yellow letter across series like Silvertown Radial, Eagle NASCAR, and UN106. This size is the one to evaluate when the car already carries 16-inch wheels and the goal is to balance correct fitment with the right visual character.
215/70R15 is a metric radial size with a 215-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 15-inch rim diameter. For the 1996 Lincoln Town Car, it serves as the primary fitment on several sub-models equipped with 15-inch wheels and gives buyers the broadest variety of product choices. Options in this size include BFGoodrich, Cooper, Dunlop, Avon, Michelin, Maxxis, Coker Classic, Travelstar, and Vredestein, with blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, pin white stripe, redline, and raised white letter styles. This is the size to focus on when preserving the proper wheel diameter matters as much as choosing the right appearance and touring character.
Sub-model fitment is not the same across the 1996 Lincoln Town Car range. Tire choice starts with identifying the exact trim, because some versions use 15-inch wheels and 215/70R15 tires while others use 16-inch wheels and 225/60R16 tires.
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1996 Lincoln Town Car Anniversary
The 1996 Lincoln Town Car Anniversary uses the 225/60R16 radial tire size. That means tire selection should stay focused on 16-inch wheel fitment first, then narrow the choice by sidewall style and tire series to suit the car's intended appearance.
The 1996 Lincoln Town Car Base uses the 215/70R15 radial size. This keeps the search centered on 15-inch fitment, where there is a wide spread of blackwall, whitewall, redline, and raised white letter options depending on the look you want.
The 1996 Lincoln Town Car Cartier uses the 225/60R16 radial tire size. Owners should confirm that the car still has its 16-inch wheel setup, then compare available sidewall treatments and rim-width specifications within that size.
The 1996 Lincoln Town Car Executive uses the 215/70R15 radial size. That opens up several traditional and more contemporary sidewall presentations, so the practical decision becomes choosing the right visual style and product specification within the correct size.
The 1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature uses the 215/70R15 radial tire size. Tire selection is straightforward once the 15-inch wheel is confirmed, after which the main comparison points are brand, sidewall appearance, and rim-width compatibility.
1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature w/Optional Ride Pkg.
The 1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature w/Optional Ride Pkg. uses the 225/60R16 radial size. This sub-model should be matched to the 16-inch wheel setup first, then evaluated by available series and sidewall style to maintain the intended stance and presentation.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1996 Lincoln Town Car Tires for Sale
Available 1996 Lincoln Town Car tires center on two radial sizes, with broad brand coverage that includes BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Cooper, Michelin, Vredestein, and others. Buyers can compare blackwall, whitewall, redline, pin white stripe, raised white letter, and raised yellow letter styles across several tire series and rim-width specifications.
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Goodyear Tires
Goodyear Eagle NASCAR Raised Yellow Letter | 225/60R16
Common 1996 Lincoln Town Car tire questions usually come down to the right size for the exact trim, 15-inch versus 16-inch wheel fitment, available sidewall styles, and what to inspect before regular road use on a full-size collector-era luxury sedan.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1996 Lincoln Town Car?
A 1996 Lincoln Town Car uses either 215/70R15 or 225/60R16 radial tires, depending on the sub-model. Base, Executive, and Signature models use 215/70R15, while Anniversary, Cartier, and Signature w/Optional Ride Pkg. use 225/60R16.
The important detail is that these sizes do not share the same wheel diameter, so the first check is the actual wheel on the car. Many Town Cars have been maintained, updated, or changed over the years, and a wheel swap can alter what size is appropriate even when the car started with a different trim package.
What size rim does a 1996 Lincoln Town Car use?
The 1996 Lincoln Town Car uses either a 15-inch or 16-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The 215/70R15 tire fits a 15-inch wheel, and the 225/60R16 tire fits a 16-inch wheel.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before anything else because a 15-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 16-inch wheel, and the reverse is also true. Once wheel diameter is settled, compare wheel width and the tire's recommended rim-width range so the finished combination suits the car's setup and intended use.
Do all 1996 Lincoln Town Car sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1996 Lincoln Town Car range is split between two primary radial sizes. Some sub-models use 215/70R15 on 15-inch wheels, while others use 225/60R16 on 16-inch wheels.
That difference means trim identification matters before comparing brands or sidewall styles. It is also worth checking the car itself rather than relying only on the badge, because replacement wheels, optional equipment, or long-ago changes can affect what is mounted today and what should be matched when replacing tires.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1996 Lincoln Town Car tire?
Start with the correct size for the exact sub-model and wheel diameter: 215/70R15 on 15-inch rims or 225/60R16 on 16-inch rims. From there, compare radial construction details such as rim-width compatibility, load figures where stated, and the overall style of tire that suits the car.
A Town Car buyer often balances appearance and use more than outright performance. Whitewall and pin-stripe options can support a traditional luxury presentation, while blackwall or lettered sidewalls create a different look. The most useful comparison is the one that keeps the correct fitment in place while matching how the car is driven and displayed.
What sidewall styles are available for 1996 Lincoln Town Car tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1996 Lincoln Town Car include blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, pin-white-stripe, redline, raised white letter, and raised yellow letter, depending on the tire size. The 215/70R15 size has the broadest overall variety, while 225/60R16 still offers several distinct visual treatments.
That range gives the Town Car owner room to tailor the car's appearance without changing the underlying fitment. A formal sedan often looks very different on a wide whitewall than it does on a blackwall or raised-letter tire, so the sidewall decision should be made alongside wheel size, intended character, and how original or personalized the finished car should appear.
What brands offer tires for the 1996 Lincoln Town Car?
Brands available for 1996 Lincoln Town Car tire sizes include BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Travelstar, Cooper, Dunlop, Avon, Michelin, Maxxis, Coker Classic, and Vredestein. The exact brand selection depends on whether the car uses 215/70R15 or 225/60R16.
Brand choice should come after fitment is settled, not before. Some owners will focus on a traditional luxury look, others on a sportier sidewall treatment, and others on a specific series character. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare the available brands by sidewall style, series, and rim-width suitability rather than assuming one name automatically suits every Town Car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1996 Lincoln Town Car?
A period-style 1996 Lincoln Town Car starts with the correct trim-specific size and wheel diameter, then moves to the visual presentation of the tire. Whitewall, narrow whitewall, or pin-white-stripe radials often align more naturally with the formal luxury character of the Town Car than a more aggressive lettered sidewall.
The best choice depends on whether the goal is a restrained stock-style appearance or a more personalized look that still respects the era. When originality matters closely, compare the finished look against period photos, window-sticker material, or marque-specific references so the sidewall treatment complements the car rather than distracting from it.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1996 Lincoln Town Car?
On a 1996 Lincoln Town Car, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial tires. The appearance difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial and more from the tire's profile, sidewall style, and the relationship between the tire and the correct 15-inch or 16-inch wheel package.
A restored Town Car can look formal, understated, or more customized depending on whether it wears a wide whitewall, a narrow stripe, a blackwall, or a lettered sidewall. Keeping the correct tire size for the sub-model helps preserve the car's stance, while the sidewall treatment fine-tunes how original, upscale, or personalized the finished presentation feels.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1996 Lincoln Town Car?
Yes. Modifications can change what works on a 1996 Lincoln Town Car even when the original trim used 215/70R15 or 225/60R16. Aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, suspension repairs, and body or steering changes can all influence clearance and the tire size that the car can physically accommodate.
A Town Car with changed wheels should be checked for actual rim diameter and width before replacement tires are chosen. It is also wise to inspect inner-fender, steering, and suspension clearance at full lock and full travel. A size that is correct for a stock configuration still needs to be verified against the modified setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1996 Lincoln Town Car on new tires?
Before putting regular miles on a 1996 Lincoln Town Car with new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, balance, and inflation pressure. The tires should also be checked for proper clearance at the front and rear, especially if the car has replacement wheels or has sat unused for long periods.
A large luxury sedan places steady demands on tires, so it helps to look beyond the rubber itself. Suspension wear, alignment condition, brake drag, and weak shocks can all affect how the tire behaves once the car is back on the road. A careful inspection helps the new tires wear properly and keeps the ride consistent with the Town Car's character.
How should tires on a collector 1996 Lincoln Town Car be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1996 Lincoln Town Car should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and gradual air loss, even if the car is driven infrequently. Pressure checks matter because a stored car can lose air over time, and low inflation can damage a tire before the next drive begins.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, extreme heat, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between outings. It also helps to move the vehicle periodically or avoid long-term static loading, particularly on a heavier full-size sedan that may sit for extended periods.
