The 2018 Lincoln MKZ sits in the later years of Lincoln’s midsize luxury sedan lineup, blending sleek fastback-inspired styling with a more modern touring character than earlier American luxury cars. Buyers looking at this exact model are usually balancing appearance, ride feel, and wheel-specific fitment rather than searching for a vintage-style tire. The 2018 Lincoln MKZ uses radial tires in two primary sizes, 245/45R18 and 245/40R19, depending on sub-model and wheel setup. That makes the main decision less about old-versus-new construction and more about confirming rim diameter, then comparing available brands and tire series. A careful match keeps the car’s stance, clearance, and driving character aligned with the wheel package actually on the vehicle.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2018 Lincoln MKZ
The 2018 Lincoln MKZ uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is confirming whether the car has 18-inch or 19-inch wheels. Fitment also varies by sub-model, with some trims tied to one size and others appearing with either size, so identifying the exact configuration matters before comparing tire choices. Both primary fitments are radial, which means the decision usually comes down to wheel diameter, trim level, and the specific tire series you want to run.
Fit(s): Premiere, Premiere Hybrid, Select, and Select Hybrid
Construction: Radial|Rim: 18 in
A 245/45R18 tire also uses a 245-millimeter section width and radial construction, but it carries a taller 45-series sidewall on an 18-inch rim. For the 2018 Lincoln MKZ, this size belongs to the 18-inch wheel fitment and appears on several sub-models, including trims where wheel setup can vary. Blackwall options are available 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 is the size to compare if the car has the 18-inch wheel package and you want to sort through brand and series differences within that fitment.
Tire fitment on the 2018 Lincoln MKZ depends on the exact sub-model, and in a few cases the same trim appears with either 18-inch or 19-inch wheel fitment. Checking the precise trim and wheel diameter first helps narrow the correct tire size before comparing products.
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2018 Lincoln MKZ Black Label
The 2018 Lincoln MKZ Black Label uses the 245/40R19 radial tire size. That points this trim toward the 19-inch wheel fitment, so the next step is comparing the available Blackwall tire series built around that size.
The 2018 Lincoln MKZ Black Label Hybrid also uses the 245/40R19 radial size. Tire selection for this sub-model centers on confirming the 19-inch wheel setup and then choosing among the available radial performance-oriented series.
The 2018 Lincoln MKZ Premiere uses the 245/45R18 radial tire size. That makes wheel diameter straightforward on this trim, and the main choice becomes comparing the available 18-inch tire brands and series.
The 2018 Lincoln MKZ Premiere Hybrid uses the 245/45R18 radial size. With the 18-inch fitment established, tire selection comes down to choosing the product line that best matches the car’s road use and wheel specifications.
The 2018 Lincoln MKZ Reserve uses the 245/40R19 radial tire size. Buyers with this trim should start by confirming the 19-inch wheel package and then compare the available radial choices in that exact size.
The 2018 Lincoln MKZ Reserve Hybrid uses the 245/40R19 radial size. That keeps the focus on 19-inch fitment, where the practical decision is choosing among the available Blackwall tires and tire series.
The 2018 Lincoln MKZ Select appears with either 245/40R19 or 245/45R18 radial tires. On this sub-model, confirming the actual wheel diameter on the car is more important than relying on the trim name alone.
The 2018 Lincoln MKZ Select Hybrid also appears with either 245/40R19 or 245/45R18 radial fitment. For this trim, the tire decision starts with verifying whether the car carries 18-inch or 19-inch wheels before narrowing product choices.
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 2018 Lincoln MKZ Tires for Sale
Available 2018 Lincoln MKZ tire choices center on 245/40R19 and 245/45R18 radial fitments, with Blackwall options from BFGoodrich and Nitto. The main differences in the product grid are brand, tire series, load-related specifications, weight, and rim-width compatibility within each wheel diameter.
These 2018 Lincoln MKZ tire FAQs focus on the two primary sizes, sub-model and wheel-diameter differences, available radial tire choices, and the fitment and maintenance checks that matter before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2018 Lincoln MKZ?
The 2018 Lincoln MKZ uses two primary tire sizes: 245/45R18 and 245/40R19. Both are radial fitments, and the correct one depends on the sub-model and wheel package. Premiere and Premiere Hybrid use 245/45R18, while Black Label, Black Label Hybrid, Reserve, and Reserve Hybrid use 245/40R19. Select and Select Hybrid can appear with either size.
The most important step is confirming the actual wheel diameter on the car before choosing a tire. A trim name alone is not always enough on Select and Select Hybrid models, so checking the sidewall size already on the vehicle and verifying the wheel setup helps avoid ordering the wrong 18-inch or 19-inch fitment.
What size rim does a 2018 Lincoln MKZ use?
A 2018 Lincoln MKZ uses either an 18-inch or 19-inch rim, depending on the tire size fitted to the car. The 245/45R18 tire uses an 18-inch rim, and the 245/40R19 tire uses a 19-inch rim. Both sizes share a similar overall tire diameter, but they are built around different wheel diameters and sidewall heights.
That means rim diameter should be verified before looking at any product options. The wheel must match the tire’s final diameter number, and wheel width should also fall within the tire’s usable range. On cars that may have had wheel changes, checking the actual wheel and sidewall stamping is more reliable than assuming every MKZ of the same year uses the same rim.
Do all 2018 Lincoln MKZ sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 2018 Lincoln MKZ sub-models do not all use the same tire size. Black Label, Black Label Hybrid, Reserve, and Reserve Hybrid use 245/40R19, while Premiere and Premiere Hybrid use 245/45R18. Select and Select Hybrid are the exceptions because they appear with either 245/45R18 or 245/40R19 radial fitment.
That variation matters because the choice is tied to wheel diameter as much as trim. A buyer with a Select or Select Hybrid should confirm whether the car has 18-inch or 19-inch wheels before comparing tires. Even though the two sizes are close in overall height, they are not the same fitment and should not be treated as interchangeable without checking the actual setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 245/40R19 or 245/45R18 tire for a 2018 Lincoln MKZ?
Start with the correct size for the car’s wheel package, either 245/40R19 or 245/45R18. From there, compare construction, rim-width compatibility, load-related specifications, weight, and the tire series available in that exact size. On the 2018 Lincoln MKZ, both primary fitments are radial, so the decision is about matching the tire to the wheel and intended use rather than changing construction type.
A shorter-sidewall 19-inch setup and a taller-sidewall 18-inch setup can feel different, so it helps to stay with the size designed around the wheel already on the car. Product selection then comes down to the character of the tire series, the brand offered in that size, and making sure the wheel width and overall vehicle setup suit the tire being considered.
What sidewall styles are available for 2018 Lincoln MKZ tires?
The available 2018 Lincoln MKZ tires in both 245/40R19 and 245/45R18 are Blackwall designs. That gives the car a clean, contemporary presentation that suits the MKZ’s late-model luxury sedan styling. There are no alternate whitewall, redline, or raised white letter options in the current fitments covered here.
Since sidewall treatment is consistent, the real visual and functional differences come from brand, tire series, and wheel diameter rather than from decorative sidewall styling. Buyers focused on appearance can compare how each tire fills the wheel package, while buyers focused on road use should look more closely at rim-width compatibility, load-related details, and the intended role of each series.
What brands offer tires for the 2018 Lincoln MKZ?
Tires for the 2018 Lincoln MKZ are available from BFGoodrich and Nitto, depending on size. BFGoodrich appears in both 245/40R19 and 245/45R18 with g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Comp 2 AS, and g-Force Phenom T/A options. Nitto appears in the 245/45R18 fitment with the NT555 G2 series.
Brand choice should still begin with the correct size and wheel diameter. Once that is settled, compare each tire by series, rim-width specification, and any load-related information that matters for the car’s use. The most useful comparison is not simply brand name, but how each available tire in the proper size aligns with the MKZ’s actual wheel setup and driving needs.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2018 Lincoln MKZ?
A period-style approach on a 2018 Lincoln MKZ usually means keeping the correct original-format wheel diameter and tire size for the specific trim, then choosing a clean Blackwall radial that suits the car’s modern luxury-sedan appearance. That points buyers toward 245/45R18 on the relevant 18-inch sub-models or 245/40R19 on the 19-inch-equipped versions.
Because this is a recent luxury model rather than a vintage restoration candidate, appearance is shaped more by maintaining the correct proportions than by chasing older sidewall treatments. The safest path is to preserve the wheel-and-tire relationship already intended for the car, then compare available series by visual presentation, rim-width compatibility, and the kind of road use the MKZ will actually see.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2018 Lincoln MKZ restoration or preservation project?
Yes, correct tire fitment still matters on a 2018 Lincoln MKZ even though it is a modern vehicle. Using the proper 245/45R18 or 245/40R19 size for the car’s actual wheel setup helps preserve the intended stance, sidewall proportion, and overall presentation. It also keeps the fitment aligned with the trim and wheel package the car carries.
For a preservation-minded owner, the goal is usually consistency rather than customization. Confirming wheel diameter, checking that wheel width suits the tire, and staying with the right size for the sub-model all help the car look and drive as intended. If originality matters at a detailed level, compare the current wheel package against vehicle-specific ownership records before changing size.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2018 Lincoln MKZ?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2018 Lincoln MKZ. Wheel changes, altered wheel width, offset differences, suspension lowering, and body or fender changes can all influence how a 245/45R18 or 245/40R19 tire sits in the wheel opening. Even when the size looks close on paper, the actual relationship between tire, wheel, and body clearance can change.
A modified car should be checked more carefully than a stock one before selecting tires. Confirm the wheel diameter first, then verify wheel width, steering clearance, and space at the fender and suspension through the full range of travel. Those checks matter most on Select and Select Hybrid models, where either primary size may already be present depending on the wheel setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 2018 Lincoln MKZ on new tires?
Before driving a 2018 Lincoln MKZ on new tires, inspect the wheel diameter, wheel condition, valve stems, and the mounted tire size to make sure everything matches the intended 18-inch or 19-inch fitment. It is also smart to confirm proper inflation, check for any rubbing at full steering lock, and look over the suspension and alignment if the previous tires wore unevenly.
A short, careful road test can reveal vibration, pulling, or clearance issues before the car is driven regularly. Recheck pressure after the tires have settled, and keep an eye on the sidewalls and tread during the first few drives. On a late-model sedan like the MKZ, correct installation and a clean alignment often matter just as much as the tire choice itself.
How often should tires on a 2018 Lincoln MKZ be inspected?
Tires on a 2018 Lincoln MKZ should be inspected regularly, not just when they look worn. A routine check should include tread condition, uneven wear, cuts, bulges, visible cracking, and any signs of air loss. Pressure should be monitored consistently, especially if the car is driven infrequently or sits for stretches between outings.
Frequent inspection is especially helpful when the car has low-profile 245/40R19 tires, since impacts and curb damage can be easier to miss until they affect ride quality. Cars with 245/45R18 tires still benefit from the same habit. Looking over the tires before longer drives and after seasonal storage helps catch age, damage, or inflation problems before they become road-use issues.
