1989 Lincoln represented the last years of the traditional full-size American luxury sedan alongside a more aerodynamic, technology-forward personal luxury coupe. In that one model year, Lincoln buyers could be looking at a formal Town Car, a front-drive Continental, or the sharper-edged Mark VII, and tire choice changes with that identity. Across these three models, Lincoln used three radial sizes rather than one shared fitment, with two 15-inch sizes covering the sedans and a separate 16-inch size appearing on the Mark VII. The smartest place to start is by confirming your exact model first, then matching the correct size and sidewall style to how original or individualized you want the car to look.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1989 Lincoln
Three tire sizes are used across 1989 Lincoln models, and they vary by model rather than fitting the entire range the same way. Since all three are radial sizes but not all share the same rim diameter, the real first step is confirming whether your Lincoln uses a 15-inch or 16-inch wheel before narrowing down sidewall style or brand. Understanding that distinction up front saves time and helps you land on the right match.
Year(s): 1989|Fit(s): Continental, Town Car|Construction: Radial|Rim: 15 in
205/70R15 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 15-inch rim diameter. It is available from Maxxis, Michelin, Avon, and American Classic in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, and speed ratings vary by product with V-rated tires capped at 149 mph and W-rated tires capped at 168 mph. This size fits the Continental and certain Town Car applications rather than the full 1989 Lincoln range. It suits owners who want a 15-inch radial with either a clean blackwall look or a traditional whitewall presentation.
Year(s): 1989|Fit(s): Mark VII, Town Car|Construction: Radial|Rim: 15 in
215/70R15 is a metric radial size with a 215-millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 15-inch rim diameter. It is available from Cooper, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, and Avon in RWL, wide whitewall, and blackwall styles, and speed ratings vary by product with V-rated tires capped at 149 mph and W-rated tires capped at 168 mph. This size is specific to the Mark VII and certain Town Car applications, so it is not universal across every 1989 Lincoln model. It is a strong choice when you need the correct 15-inch fitment but want to tailor the car's look toward luxury whitewalls or a more performance-oriented sidewall treatment.
Year(s): 1989|Fit(s): Mark VII|Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
225/60R16 is a metric radial size with a 225-millimeter section width, a 60-series aspect ratio, and a 16-inch rim diameter. It is available from Goodyear and BFGoodrich with raised yellow letter, redline, pin white stripe, and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. This size is specific to the Mark VII and separates that model from Lincoln's 15-inch sedan fitments in the same year. It makes the most sense for owners restoring or maintaining a Mark VII that already uses the correct 16-inch wheel package and wants a sidewall style that matches the car's intended personality.
Three Lincoln models are covered for 1989. Tire size varies by model, and in the case of the Town Car and Mark VII, more than one size may appear depending on wheel package and application, so identifying the exact model is essential before choosing a tire. Select your model below for model-specific fitment history and products.
1989 Lincoln Continental
The 1989 Lincoln Continental was Lincoln's front-drive luxury sedan, aimed at buyers who wanted traditional Lincoln comfort in a more modern package than the Town Car. Its tires mount on 15-inch wheels, and the fitment stays focused on one radial size rather than splitting across multiple wheel diameters.
The 1989 Lincoln Mark VII blended personal luxury styling with a more athletic, European-influenced feel than Lincoln's larger sedans. It appears with both 15-inch and 16-inch tire fitments, which makes wheel diameter the key thing to verify before choosing a replacement.
The 1989 Lincoln Town Car was the archetypal body-on-frame American luxury sedan, known for formal styling, a soft ride, and broad appeal in preserved and restored original condition. Its tires mount on 15-inch wheels, but two different radial sizes appear within the model range, so matching the car's existing wheel and tire setup matters.
Twenty-six products are available across three tire sizes for 1989 Lincoln vehicles. The 205/70R15 has 9 radial choices from Maxxis, Michelin, Avon, and American Classic in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall; the 215/70R15 has 12 radial choices from Cooper, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, and Avon in RWL, blackwall, and wide whitewall; and the 225/60R16 has 5 radial choices from Goodyear and BFGoodrich in raised yellow letter, redline, pin white stripe, and wide whitewall styles.
These answers cover how 1989 Lincoln tire sizes differ between Continental, Mark VII, and Town Car models, how 15-inch and 16-inch fitments change the decision, and how sidewall style, storage, and road-use checks affect a collector-driven Lincoln.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1989 Lincoln vehicles?
1989 Lincoln vehicles use three sizes across the model range: 205/70R15, 215/70R15, and 225/60R16. The Continental uses 205/70R15, the Mark VII uses 215/70R15 or 225/60R16, and the Town Car uses 205/70R15 or 215/70R15. The two 15-inch sizes mount on 15-inch rims, while the 225/60R16 mounts on a 16-inch rim. Rim width ranges by tire size run from about 5.00 to 7.50 inches for 205/70R15, 5.5 to 7.5 inches for 215/70R15, and 6.0 to 9.0 inches for 225/60R16 depending on the tire you choose.
That means year and make alone are not enough for a 1989 Lincoln purchase. You need to identify the model first, then confirm whether the car is on a 15-inch or 16-inch wheel, and finally compare the acceptable rim-width range for the exact tire you want to run. On cars like the Town Car and Mark VII, the existing wheel and tire package on the vehicle is often the quickest clue.
What does 205/70R15 mean on a 1989 Lincoln tire?
On a 1989 Lincoln tire, 205/70R15 means the tire is 205 millimeters wide, has a 70-series aspect ratio, uses radial construction, and fits a 15-inch wheel. On 1989 Lincoln applications, that size appears on the Continental and certain Town Car fitments. Tires in this size span blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, so the same basic dimensions can support very different visual looks.
That mix makes 205/70R15 especially useful for owners balancing appearance with correct overall fit. A whitewall version leans into the formal luxury presentation many Lincoln owners want, while a blackwall keeps the look more understated. Before ordering, compare the tire's approved rim-width range with your wheel so the dimensions and sidewall shape stay appropriate for the car.
Do all 1989 Lincoln models use the same tire size?
No, 1989 Lincoln models do not all use the same tire size. The Continental uses 205/70R15, the Mark VII uses either 215/70R15 or 225/60R16, and the Town Car uses either 205/70R15 or 215/70R15. Lincoln's lineup that year spanned a formal full-size sedan, a front-drive luxury sedan, and a personal luxury coupe, so the tire fitments reflect those different roles.
The practical takeaway is simple: a tire that fits one 1989 Lincoln may be wrong for another even within the same showroom year. Mark VII owners in particular need to confirm whether the car has 15-inch or 16-inch wheels, while Town Car owners should verify which of the two 15-inch sizes is already on the car. Reading the sidewall on the existing tire is often the fastest confirmation.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Lincoln tires?
1989 Lincoln tire choices cover a broad range of sidewall styles depending on size. The 205/70R15 comes in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. The 215/70R15 adds blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter options. The 225/60R16 broadens the look further with raised yellow letter, redline, pin white stripe, and wide whitewall versions. For a late-1980s Lincoln sedan, whitewall treatments generally align most naturally with the upscale luxury image, while the Mark VII can also wear more performance-oriented sidewalls without looking out of place.
Choosing sidewall style is as much about the character of the car as the measurements on the tire. A Town Car or Continental often looks most at home on whitewalls, especially if the car retains stock trim and formal presentation. A Mark VII can reasonably go in several directions, from subtle blackwall to more expressive sport sidewalls. Matching the sidewall to the wheel design and the way the car is being restored usually gives the best visual result.
What brands make tires for 1989 Lincoln vehicles?
1989 Lincoln tire sizes are available from several brands depending on the size. In 205/70R15, the choices include Maxxis, Michelin, Avon, and American Classic. In 215/70R15, the brands include Cooper, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, and Avon. In 225/60R16, the available brands include Goodyear and BFGoodrich. All three sizes are radial, but the brands and series lean in different visual directions, from traditional whitewalls to sport-oriented sidewall treatments.
That gives 1989 Lincoln owners room to choose based on the personality of the car rather than dimensions alone. A formal Continental or Town Car may point you toward whitewall-oriented lines, while a Mark VII owner may prefer a blackwall, lettered, or striped tire that suits the coupe's sharper image. Once you know the right size, comparing sidewall style and approved rim-width range usually narrows the field quickly.
What is the difference between Michelin XWX and Avon CR6ZZ for the 1989 Lincoln?
In 205/70R15 for a 1989 Lincoln, Michelin XWX and Avon CR6ZZ are both blackwall radial choices, but their sidewall markings and fitment details differ. The Michelin carries a 205/70VR15 90W TL marking and fits rims from 5.50 to 7.50 inches wide, while the Avon carries a 205/70R15 96V marking and fits rims from 5.0 to 7.0 inches wide. The Michelin's W rating corresponds to 168 mph, and the Avon's V rating corresponds to 149 mph.
For a buyer, that means the decision is less about basic size and more about the exact specification you want around the same fitment. The Michelin offers a wider approved rim-width span and a higher speed letter, while the Avon has its own sizing and load-index character within the same 205/70R15 footprint. Checking your wheel width first will tell you whether one tire suits your setup more cleanly than the other.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1989 Lincoln tires require?
Rim width requirements for 1989 Lincoln tires depend on the size and the specific tire. In 205/70R15, approved rim widths run from 5.00 to 7.50 inches across available products. In 215/70R15, the range runs from 5.5 to 7.5 inches where a rim-width span is stated. In 225/60R16, available tires fit rims from 6.0 to 9.0 inches wide. Those ranges are not interchangeable across sizes, even when two tires share the same overall wheel diameter.
The best practice is to measure or verify the wheel already on the car before choosing a tire. That matters most when a model can appear with more than one size, such as the Town Car or Mark VII, because tire width and sidewall shape are affected by wheel width. Staying inside the approved range helps preserve proper tread profile, predictable behavior, and a cleaner visual fit on the rim.
Do 1989 Lincoln tires require inner tubes?
At least one 1989 Lincoln tire option is clearly marked tubeless. The Michelin XWX in 205/70R15 carries a TL marking, which identifies it as a tubeless tire. The other available products in these Lincoln sizes do not all carry the same style of tube marking in the sidewall notation, so tube status can vary by product presentation and should be checked on the exact tire being considered rather than assumed from size alone.
That matters because tube use is a wheel-and-tire system decision, not just a size decision. If your Lincoln still uses original wheels, especially older restored rims with uncertain condition, confirm both the tire marking and the wheel's suitability before installation. Matching the tire's intended tube status to the wheel helps avoid confusion later when it is time to mount, balance, and maintain the set.
Can the original 1989 Lincoln wheels be used with both or all tire sizes?
Original 1989 Lincoln wheels can only be shared across sizes when the wheel diameter matches the tire diameter. The 205/70R15 and 215/70R15 both fit 15-inch wheels, so a 15-inch Lincoln wheel can potentially accept either size if the wheel width also falls within the tire's approved range. The 225/60R16 requires a 16-inch wheel, so it cannot be mounted on the 15-inch wheels used by the other Lincoln fitments.
For Mark VII owners, that is the major dividing line: 15-inch and 16-inch packages are not interchangeable without changing wheels. For Town Car and Continental owners staying within the 15-inch family, wheel width becomes the next checkpoint. Confirming both the stamped wheel size and the acceptable rim-width range of the tire prevents a close-but-not-correct setup.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1989 Lincoln when the tires are fitted?
A 1989 Lincoln should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources. Maintaining correct inflation pressure during storage helps the tire hold its shape, and moving the car periodically prevents one section of the tread from carrying the full load for months at a time. Moisture under the tires and long-term exposure to dirty concrete can also accelerate cosmetic aging.
Collector cars like a Continental, Town Car, or Mark VII often spend more time parked than driven, so storage habits matter as much as mileage. If the car will sit for an extended period, rolling it occasionally or supporting it appropriately can reduce flat-spotting tendencies and stress on the casing. A breathable cover and a clean floor are simple steps that help protect both the car and the tires.
How long do tires on a 1989 Lincoln typically last?
Tires on a 1989 Lincoln should be judged primarily by age and condition, not by tread depth alone. A useful collector-car rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are about five to seven years old and to treat around ten years from the DOT date code as a serious replacement threshold, even if the car has seen limited mileage. Luxury cars that are driven occasionally can look fine at a glance while the rubber itself has aged out.
That age-first approach is especially important on cars that are preserved rather than used daily. A Town Car or Mark VII may go long stretches without enough driving to wear the tread significantly, but internal aging still continues. Reading the DOT date code and comparing it with visible condition gives a much better picture of serviceability than tread appearance alone.
How often should tires on a 1989 Lincoln be inspected?
Tires on a 1989 Lincoln should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and pressure loss, and make sure the tread is not separating or weather-checked. On collector cars that see intermittent use, a tire can change condition while sitting, so time in storage does not replace routine inspection.
A quick walkaround before each trip can prevent a problem from becoming a roadside issue. Longer drives deserve a closer check that includes valve stems, spare-tire condition, and pressure verification with a gauge. If the car has been parked for weeks or months, the first inspection after storage is the one that matters most because age-related issues often show themselves then.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1989 Lincoln tires safe for highway driving?
1989 Lincoln tire choices can be suitable for highway driving when the tires are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within their speed rating. Among the available options, V-rated tires are capped at 149 mph and W-rated tires at 168 mph, which is far beyond normal U.S. highway use. Other tires in these sizes do not always show a speed letter in the same way, so the exact sidewall marking of the tire you choose matters.
In real-world use, the tire's speed rating is usually not the limiting factor on a 1989 Lincoln. Vehicle condition, suspension health, brake performance, alignment, and age of the rubber are usually more important than ultimate speed capability. For highway driving, focus on choosing the correct size, maintaining proper inflation, and making sure the entire chassis is ready for the trip.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1989 Lincoln tires?
Inflation pressure for a 1989 Lincoln should follow the vehicle's factory recommendation for the car and the tire maker's rated limits for the exact tire. Available load-and-pressure figures vary by size and product: 205/70R15 examples include 1499 pounds at 35 psi, 215/70R15 examples include 1620 pounds at 35 psi and 1653 pounds, and 225/60R16 examples include 1609 pounds at 44 psi or 1609 pounds at 34 psi. Those figures are not interchangeable from one tire to another.
The safest approach is to start with the car's original pressure guidance, then confirm that your chosen reproduction or specialty tire is being used within its stated rating. A pressure that is appropriate for one 15-inch Lincoln tire may not match another 15-inch tire with different construction details or load capacity. Checking both sources keeps the tire and the vehicle working together correctly.
What should I check before taking a 1989 Lincoln on a longer drive?
Before taking a 1989 Lincoln on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and anything embedded in the tread. Confirm cold inflation pressure, check that the spare is usable, and look closely at the valve stems. If the car has been sitting, pay extra attention to sidewall condition and any vibration or flat-spotting during the first miles. Tire readiness should be part of a broader inspection that includes brakes, fluids, belts, hoses, and lighting.
That broader check matters because a late-1980s luxury car can be mechanically healthy in one area and overdue in another. Long highway runs generate more heat and stress than a short local cruise, so small tire issues show up faster. If the car has recently changed wheel or tire size, verify wheel clearance and steering feel on a short test drive before committing to the full trip.
