The 2001 Lincoln LS arrived as Lincoln’s rear-wheel-drive sport sedan, aimed at buyers who wanted a more European-style balance of luxury and handling without leaving the domestic luxury market. That makes tire selection on this car especially important, because the right size shapes both appearance and road manners. A 2001 Lincoln LS uses either 215/60R16 or 235/50R17 radial tires, and the correct choice depends on the exact sub-model and wheel setup. The larger 17-inch fitment brings a more performance-oriented look, while the 16-inch size keeps the car in its standard touring range. Before choosing, confirm both the sub-model and actual wheel diameter on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2001 Lincoln LS
The 2001 Lincoln LS uses two primary tire sizes, both in radial construction, and the first step is confirming which sub-model and wheel diameter the car has. Some versions use a 16-inch wheel with 215/60R16, while others use a 17-inch wheel with 235/50R17, so selecting a tire starts with matching the car’s actual configuration rather than choosing by appearance alone.
215/60R16 is a metric radial size where 215 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2001 Lincoln LS, this size serves the 16-inch wheel fitment and suits the car’s standard touring-oriented setup. It uses a modern radial format that is familiar to current drivers and tire shops, making identification straightforward. This is the size to evaluate when the car retains its original 16-inch wheel configuration and you want fitment that matches that setup.
235/50R17 is a metric radial size with a 235-millimeter nominal section width, a 50-series profile, radial construction, and a 17-inch wheel diameter. On the 2001 Lincoln LS, this size belongs to the 17-inch fitment used on certain configurations, giving the car a lower-profile, sport-sedan presentation. Available choices in this size can vary by product character, with a BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 AS blackwall option present in the fitment. This size is the one to consider when the car has 17-inch wheels and the goal is to stay with the intended wheel diameter and tire profile.
Tire fitment on the 2001 Lincoln LS depends on the exact sub-model, and not every version uses the same wheel diameter. Checking the trim and the wheels currently on the car matters before selecting a tire, especially because both 16-inch and 17-inch fitments appear across the lineup.
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2001 Lincoln LS LSE
The 2001 Lincoln LS LSE can be found with either the 215/60R16 or 235/50R17 radial size, so wheel confirmation is especially important on this version. Tire selection starts with checking the actual rim diameter on the car, then choosing the tire style and product character that matches that setup.
The 2001 Lincoln LS V6 (Automatic) uses the 215/60R16 radial tire size on a 16-inch wheel fitment. That keeps the tire decision focused on staying with the correct modern metric size and verifying that the car has not been changed to a different wheel package over time.
The 2001 Lincoln LS V6 (Manual) uses the 235/50R17 radial size, placing it in the 17-inch wheel fitment group. That makes wheel-diameter confirmation straightforward, and it also means available product choices in this size can be compared for overall driving character and appearance.
The 2001 Lincoln LS V8 uses the 215/60R16 radial tire size in its standard configuration. For tire selection, the main priority is matching that 16-inch setup and confirming that the wheels on the car still reflect the original fitment rather than a later swap.
The 2001 Lincoln LS V8 w/Sport Pkg. uses the 235/50R17 radial size, tying it to the 17-inch wheel setup. That points the buyer toward the sport-oriented fitment group, where verifying wheel width and overall tire profile remains important before choosing a replacement.
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 2001 Lincoln LS Tires for Sale
Available product choice on this 2001 Lincoln LS fitment centers on the 235/50R17 size, where BFGoodrich offers a g-Force Comp 2 AS radial in blackwall form. That gives buyers a performance-oriented product to compare against the car’s required 17-inch wheel setup and rim-width compatibility.
Common 2001 Lincoln LS tire questions usually come down to identifying the correct size by sub-model, confirming 16-inch versus 17-inch wheel fitment, and choosing a radial tire that suits the car’s intended use and condition.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2001 Lincoln LS?
A 2001 Lincoln LS uses either 215/60R16 or 235/50R17, depending on the exact sub-model and wheel package. Both are radial tire sizes, but they do not share the same rim diameter, so the correct choice starts with identifying whether the car is set up for a 16-inch or 17-inch wheel.
That distinction matters because tire size on this car is tied directly to wheel diameter, not just tread width or profile. Before replacing tires, check the specific sub-model and verify the wheels currently installed on the car, especially if it has been modified or had wheels changed at some point in its life.
What size rim does a 2001 Lincoln LS use?
The 2001 Lincoln LS uses either a 16-inch or 17-inch rim, depending on the version of the car. The 215/60R16 fitment belongs on a 16-inch wheel, while the 235/50R17 fitment belongs on a 17-inch wheel, so the rim diameter must match the tire size exactly.
A 16-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 17-inch wheel, and a 17-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 16-inch wheel. Checking the wheel itself is the simplest way to avoid a mismatch, particularly on an LS that may have received optional wheels, sport-package parts, or aftermarket replacements over the years.
Why does the 2001 Lincoln LS have more than one tire size?
The 2001 Lincoln LS has more than one tire size because different sub-models and package combinations use different wheel diameters. Some versions use 215/60R16, while others use 235/50R17, and the LSE can appear with either fitment depending on the wheel setup on the car.
That means the right tire is not chosen by model name alone when the car has overlapping trim designations. A quick check of the sub-model, current wheel diameter, and existing tire markings will usually settle the question before you move on to comparing tire designs, brands, or other product differences.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2001 Lincoln LS?
Start with the correct size for the exact 2001 Lincoln LS sub-model and wheel diameter, since this car uses either 215/60R16 or 235/50R17. After size is confirmed, compare construction, intended use, sidewall presentation, and any product details such as rim-width compatibility that may affect how the tire suits the car.
A standard LS setup and a sport-oriented 17-inch setup can lead to different priorities in ride feel and appearance. It also helps to look at how the car is actually driven, because a collector sedan used occasionally may call for a different selection approach than an LS that still sees regular road miles.
What brands offer tires for the 2001 Lincoln LS?
For the 2001 Lincoln LS fitments covered here, BFGoodrich is available in the 235/50R17 size. The current product offering in that fitment includes a g-Force Comp 2 AS radial, giving LS owners with the 17-inch wheel setup a recognizable brand option in the proper size category.
Brand choice only matters after the correct tire size and wheel diameter are confirmed. On this car, that is especially important because the lineup splits between 16-inch and 17-inch fitments, and a tire from any brand still has to match the LS sub-model and the wheels actually installed.
What sidewall styles are available for 2001 Lincoln LS tires?
A blackwall sidewall style is available for the 2001 Lincoln LS in the 235/50R17 fitment. On a modern luxury sport sedan like the LS, blackwall construction gives a clean, contemporary presentation that fits the car’s early-2000s character without introducing a vintage-style sidewall treatment.
Sidewall style should be treated as a finishing detail after size and wheel diameter are settled. If the car uses the 17-inch setup, blackwall is one of the appearance choices tied to that fitment, and it should still be reviewed alongside rim-width suitability and the overall role the car fills on the road.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2001 Lincoln LS?
A period-style 2001 Lincoln LS starts with the correct original size format for the car’s configuration: 215/60R16 on the 16-inch setup or 235/50R17 on the 17-inch setup. Because the LS is a modern sport sedan rather than a vintage collector car, staying true to the proper wheel diameter and profile matters more than chasing an old-style sidewall treatment.
Appearance works best when the tire matches the stance and intent of the specific sub-model. A standard LS usually looks right with the 16-inch fitment, while sport-oriented versions belong with the 17-inch size, so the visual goal should be preserving the car’s intended proportion rather than forcing a different tire profile.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2001 Lincoln LS restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 2001 Lincoln LS restoration because the car’s proportions, ride height, and overall visual balance depend on using the proper size for the actual wheel package. Since the LS uses both 16-inch and 17-inch fitments across the range, the wrong tire size can change the look as much as the road feel.
A restoration-minded approach should begin by confirming the sub-model and whether the car retains its original wheel setup. Once that is established, choosing a tire in the proper metric radial size helps preserve the sedan’s intended appearance without introducing unnecessary fitment compromises or profile changes.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2001 Lincoln LS?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2001 Lincoln LS, especially because the car already uses two different wheel diameters across its range. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, or body alterations can change the clearance relationship between the tire, fender, steering components, and suspension hardware.
A car that has been changed from its original setup should be checked carefully before ordering replacement tires. Verify the actual wheel diameter and width, compare the current tire markings, and inspect turning clearance and fender space so the selected tire matches the car as it sits now, not just how it left the factory.
What should I inspect before driving a 2001 Lincoln LS on new tires?
Before driving a 2001 Lincoln LS on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tires match the intended size, and look over the suspension and steering components for obvious wear. Tire pressure should be set correctly, and each tire should be checked for proper seating and clear space around the wheelwell.
A short test drive should be used to listen for rubbing, vibration, or any steering pull that was not present before. It also helps to recheck pressure after the initial drive and make sure the car tracks cleanly, since a modern sport-oriented sedan like the LS tends to reveal fitment issues quickly.
What should I check before a longer drive in a 2001 Lincoln LS?
Before a longer drive in a 2001 Lincoln LS, confirm tire pressure, inspect tread and sidewalls, and make sure there are no cuts, bulges, cracking, or signs of slow air loss. Because the car may be running either a 16-inch or 17-inch setup, it is also wise to confirm all four tires match the intended size for the car’s configuration.
Longer trips put more heat and distance into the tire, so uneven wear, age-related damage, or marginal wheel condition becomes more important. An LS that has been stored, driven infrequently, or fitted with replacement wheels deserves an extra clearance and condition check before heading out for sustained highway use.
