The 2016 Lincoln MKZ sits in the modern luxury sedan space with a sleek fastback profile and a stronger emphasis on quiet road manners, technology, and sharp exterior design than many traditional midsize cars. Tire choice matters here because the MKZ balances appearance, ride quality, and responsive handling more closely than an older comfort-only luxury sedan. This model uses two primary radial sizes, 245/45R18 and 245/40R19, depending on the exact sub-model and wheel setup. Available options center on blackwall performance-oriented radial tires from BFGoodrich and Nitto across several series. The key is confirming the correct wheel diameter first, then choosing the tire that best matches the car's actual configuration and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2016 Lincoln MKZ
The 2016 Lincoln MKZ uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference comes down to sub-model and wheel diameter. Both fitments are radial, but one is built for an 18-inch rim and the other for a 19-inch rim, so confirming the actual wheel on the car is the first step before comparing brands, tire series, or load-related specifications.
Fit(s): Base, Black Label, Black Label Hybrid, and Hybrid
Construction: Radial|Rim: 19 in
245/40R19 is a metric radial size in which 245 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, 40 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 19 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 2016 Lincoln MKZ, this size supports a lower-profile look than the 18-inch fitment while staying within a very similar overall diameter. Available choices in this size come from BFGoodrich in blackwall form across g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Comp 2 AS, and g-Force Phenom T/A series. It is the size to evaluate when the car is equipped with 19-inch wheels and a sportier tire presentation is the goal.
245/45R18 is a metric radial size where 245 is the nominal width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 18 is the wheel diameter in inches. For the 2016 Lincoln MKZ, this size uses the same nominal section width as the 19-inch option but fits an 18-inch rim. Product choices include blackwall radials from BFGoodrich and Nitto, with series such as g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Phenom T/A, and NT555 G2. This size is the right one to consider only after confirming that the car is on 18-inch wheels.
Sub-model fitment for the 2016 Lincoln MKZ is not the same across the board, because some versions can use either 18-inch or 19-inch tire packages while others use only the 19-inch fitment. Checking the exact sub-model and the wheel currently on the car keeps the tire search focused on the correct size from the start.
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2016 Lincoln MKZ Base
The 2016 Lincoln MKZ Base can use either of the two primary radial tire sizes, depending on whether the car has 18-inch or 19-inch wheels. Tire selection starts with wheel confirmation, then moves to comparing blackwall tire series and performance-oriented product options within the correct size.
The 2016 Lincoln MKZ Black Label uses the 245/40R19 radial fitment. That keeps the decision centered on choosing among the available 19-inch blackwall radial options rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes.
The 2016 Lincoln MKZ Black Label Hybrid also uses the 245/40R19 radial size. The practical choice is then which 19-inch tire series best suits the car's current use, while still confirming wheel condition and overall fitment before installation.
The 2016 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid can use either 245/45R18 or 245/40R19, so the actual wheel diameter on the car matters more than the Hybrid badge alone. Once that is confirmed, tire selection becomes a comparison of available blackwall radial products, rim-width compatibility, and intended road use.
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 2016 Lincoln MKZ Tires for Sale
Available 2016 Lincoln MKZ tire choices center on 245/40R19 and 245/45R18 blackwall radials from BFGoodrich and Nitto. The main differences in the product grid are tire series, rim-width compatibility, weight, and load-related specifications within the correct wheel diameter.
2016 Lincoln MKZ tire questions usually come down to confirming whether the car uses the 18-inch or 19-inch fitment, then comparing radial tire series, rim compatibility, and practical road-use considerations before installation.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2016 Lincoln MKZ?
The 2016 Lincoln MKZ uses two primary tire sizes: 245/40R19 and 245/45R18. Both are radial sizes, but they are not used interchangeably because they fit different wheel diameters. Black Label and Black Label Hybrid models use 245/40R19, while Base and Hybrid models can use either size depending on wheel setup.
The most important step is confirming whether the car has 18-inch or 19-inch wheels before choosing a tire. A Base or Hybrid model may appear similar from the outside, but the installed wheel package determines which size belongs on the car and which products should be compared.
What size rim does a 2016 Lincoln MKZ use?
A 2016 Lincoln MKZ uses either an 18-inch or 19-inch rim, depending on the tire size fitted to the car. The 245/45R18 tire belongs on an 18-inch rim, while the 245/40R19 tire belongs on a 19-inch rim. Both fitments are radial and have very similar overall tire diameter, but the wheel diameter is different.
Wheel diameter needs to be verified before any tire purchase because an 18-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 19-inch wheel, and the reverse is also true. Checking the size molded into the current tire sidewall and confirming the wheel setup on the car helps prevent ordering the right width in the wrong diameter.
Do all 2016 Lincoln MKZ sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 2016 Lincoln MKZ sub-models do not all use the same tire size. Black Label and Black Label Hybrid models use 245/40R19, while Base and Hybrid models can use either 245/40R19 or 245/45R18. That means the MKZ range includes more than one correct fitment even though the two sizes are close in overall diameter.
Sub-model name is helpful, but wheel diameter is still the deciding detail because some trims can appear in either configuration. Matching the tire to the actual wheel on the car keeps the fitment process straightforward and narrows the search to the correct group of 18-inch or 19-inch radial options.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2016 Lincoln MKZ tire?
Start with the correct primary size for the car: 245/45R18 for an 18-inch wheel package or 245/40R19 for a 19-inch setup. After that, compare the tire's construction, intended character, rim-width specification, and any load-related details that matter for the way the MKZ is driven and maintained.
The available MKZ products are all blackwall radials, but they differ by series and supporting specifications. A careful buyer should confirm wheel diameter first, then review whether the car is used mostly for daily driving, seasonal cruising, or a more performance-oriented role before narrowing the choice within the correct size.
What sidewall styles are available for 2016 Lincoln MKZ tires?
The available tire choices for the 2016 Lincoln MKZ use a blackwall sidewall style in both 245/40R19 and 245/45R18. That keeps the appearance modern and understated, which suits the MKZ's late-model luxury sedan character. No alternate whitewall, redline, or raised-letter sidewall treatment appears in these fitments.
Because sidewall styling is consistent here, the real visual and functional differences come from tire series and wheel size rather than decorative sidewall treatment. Buyers choosing between 18-inch and 19-inch fitments should focus more on confirming the proper size and the car's intended use than on appearance-based sidewall variation.
What brands offer tires for the 2016 Lincoln MKZ?
BFGoodrich and Nitto offer tires for the 2016 Lincoln MKZ in the covered sizes. BFGoodrich appears in both 245/40R19 and 245/45R18 with g-Force series options, while Nitto appears in 245/45R18 with the NT555 G2. All of these are blackwall radial choices rather than vintage-style specialty tires.
Brand comparison should come after size confirmation, since the 19-inch fitment and 18-inch fitment do not have the same product mix. Once the wheel diameter is settled, it becomes easier to compare each brand's available series, rim-width range, and supporting specifications within the tire size that actually belongs on the car.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2016 Lincoln MKZ?
A period-style approach on a 2016 Lincoln MKZ usually means staying with the correct original-type sizing format and a clean blackwall presentation rather than trying to give the car an older collector-car look. That points the decision back to the proper wheel diameter first, then to either 245/45R18 or 245/40R19 depending on the actual setup.
Since this is a late-model luxury sedan, appearance differences are subtler than they would be on a mid-century classic. The best visual result usually comes from preserving the intended wheel-and-tire proportion of the car and avoiding a size change that alters the stance without first checking wheel compatibility and clearance.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2016 Lincoln MKZ restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment still matters on a 2016 Lincoln MKZ restoration or preservation project. Using the proper 18-inch or 19-inch size helps maintain the car's intended overall look and supports the relationship between wheel diameter, tire profile, and body proportions that define the MKZ's design.
A careful restoration-minded owner should verify the actual wheels on the car, especially if it has changed hands or received aftermarket parts. Keeping the tire size consistent with the wheel package also simplifies future service and helps preserve a clean, coherent presentation rather than mixing dimensions that do not belong together.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2016 Lincoln MKZ?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, or body alterations can change the space available around the tire even when the size code still looks close to the factory-style fitment. That matters with both 245/45R18 and 245/40R19 because each depends on the correct wheel diameter and compatible wheel width.
Any MKZ that has been altered should be checked for steering clearance, inner-fender clearance, and wheel specification before new tires are installed. Looking at the actual wheel size already on the car is especially important on Base and Hybrid models, since those trims can use either of the two primary fitments.
What should I inspect before driving a 2016 Lincoln MKZ on new tires?
Before driving a 2016 Lincoln MKZ on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel diameter matches the tire size, and make sure the tires are inflated correctly for the vehicle's setup. It is also wise to check for suspension wear, alignment issues, and any rubbing points that could affect the new tires once the car is back on the road.
A short, careful road test helps confirm that the tires clear properly during turns and over bumps. Uneven old-tire wear, vibration, or pulling should not be ignored, because those symptoms can point to wheel or chassis issues that a fresh set of tires will not correct by themselves.
How often should tires on a 2016 Lincoln MKZ be inspected?
Tires on a 2016 Lincoln MKZ should be inspected regularly for tread wear, cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of air loss, especially if the car is driven infrequently. Modern luxury sedans can hide tire condition problems until they become more serious, so routine visual checks and pressure checks are part of responsible ownership.
A closer inspection before longer trips is a smart habit, particularly if the MKZ spends much of its time parked. Looking at wear across the full tread face can also reveal alignment or suspension issues early, which helps protect the replacement tires and keeps the car driving as it should.
