In 2004, Lincoln balanced two very different luxury personalities: the LS sport sedan and the traditional Town Car full-size sedan. That split matters for tire selection, because 2004 Lincoln covers two model lines with three distinct radial sizes rather than one shared fitment across the whole make. The LS uses either a 225/55R16 or 235/50R17 depending on wheel package, while the Town Car uses 225/60R17, so the real choice starts with identifying the model and then confirming wheel diameter. Once that is settled, the next step is deciding whether you want a more performance-oriented blackwall look for an LS or a more traditional whitewall presentation for a Town Car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 2004 Lincoln
Three tire sizes are used across 2004 Lincoln vehicles, and they vary by model rather than being shared across the full range. The key decision is confirming whether you have an LS or a Town Car, then matching the tire to the correct 16-inch or 17-inch wheel diameter. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps ensure the right match.
Year(s): 2004|Fit(s): LS|Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
225/55R16 is a metric radial size with a 225-millimeter section width, a 55-series aspect ratio, and fitment for a 16-inch wheel. For this size, BFGoodrich offers blackwall radial options, and the available products carry a W speed rating with a 168 mph ceiling. This size is specific to certain 2004 Lincoln LS applications rather than the full 2004 Lincoln range. It suits LS owners who need the correct 16-inch fitment and want a modern radial with a sport-oriented appearance.
Year(s): 2004|Fit(s): LS|Construction: Radial|Rim: 17 in
235/50R17 is a metric radial size with a 235-millimeter section width, a 50-series aspect ratio, and fitment for a 17-inch wheel. BFGoodrich offers this size as a blackwall radial, and the available product carries a W speed rating with a 168 mph ceiling. This size is specific to certain 2004 Lincoln LS applications and is not shared with the Town Car. It is the right direction for LS owners who have the 17-inch wheel package and want to stay with a modern radial setup.
Year(s): 2004|Fit(s): Town Car|Construction: Radial|Rim: 17 in
225/60R17 is a metric radial size with a 225-millimeter section width, a 60-series aspect ratio, and fitment for a 17-inch wheel. Travelstar offers this size with a narrow whitewall sidewall style, and the available product carries a T speed rating with a 118 mph ceiling. This size is specific to the 2004 Lincoln Town Car rather than universal across the make. It is the appropriate choice for Town Car owners who want the correct 17-inch fitment with a more traditional luxury-sedan sidewall presentation.
Two Lincoln models are covered for 2004, and they do not share the same tire size across the board. The LS and Town Car were aimed at different buyers, so identifying the model is the first step before narrowing down the correct wheel diameter and tire size. Select a model below to see model-specific fitment history and the tires that apply to it.
2004 Lincoln LS
The 2004 Lincoln LS was Lincoln's sport-oriented rear-drive luxury sedan, positioned very differently from the brand's traditional full-size offerings. Its tires mount on either 16-inch or 17-inch wheels depending on the application, which makes wheel confirmation especially important before choosing a replacement. Buyers usually approach the LS with an eye toward road manners and a more contemporary sedan look than older-school Lincoln styling cues.
The 2004 Lincoln Town Car remained the classic body-on-frame American luxury sedan, known for quiet cruising and a formal appearance that appealed to traditional Lincoln buyers. Its tire fitment mounts on a 17-inch wheel, and the available sidewall presentation leans into the upscale look many Town Car owners want to preserve. For this model, visual character matters almost as much as the basic size itself.
Four products are available across three tire sizes for 2004 Lincoln vehicles. The 225/55R16 has two BFGoodrich radial blackwall options, the 235/50R17 has one BFGoodrich radial blackwall option, and the 225/60R17 has one Travelstar radial narrow whitewall option. Confirm model, wheel diameter, and sidewall preference before selecting.
These FAQs cover how 2004 Lincoln tire sizing splits between the LS and Town Car, what the metric radial sizes mean, how blackwall and whitewall choices differ by model, and what to check for longer-term collector or occasional-use service.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 2004 Lincoln vehicles?
2004 Lincoln vehicles use three sizes: 225/55R16, 235/50R17, and 225/60R17. The 2004 Lincoln LS uses either 225/55R16 or 235/50R17 depending on wheel package, while the 2004 Lincoln Town Car uses 225/60R17. The 225/55R16 fits 16-inch wheels with a 6.0 to 8.0-inch rim width range, the 235/50R17 fits 17-inch wheels with a 6.5 to 8.5-inch rim width range, and the 225/60R17 fits a 17-inch wheel with a 6.5J rim.
That means year and make alone are not enough for a correct replacement on a 2004 Lincoln. LS owners need to confirm whether the car is on 16-inch or 17-inch wheels, while Town Car owners need the 225/60R17 fitment. Checking the size molded on the current tire and verifying the wheel diameter before ordering is the simplest way to avoid crossing LS and Town Car applications.
What does 225/55R16 mean on a 2004 Lincoln tire?
On a 2004 Lincoln, 225/55R16 is a metric radial size. The 225 is the section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, the R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On 2004 Lincoln applications, that size belongs to the LS and fits a 16-inch wheel with a 6.0 to 8.0-inch rim width range.
That code matters because it tells you both physical fitment and the tire's basic profile. A 2004 Lincoln LS on 225/55R16 cannot simply interchange with a 17-inch LS setup or with the Town Car's 225/60R17 without changing the wheel. If your LS currently wears 16-inch wheels, staying with this size keeps your search focused on the correct diameter and profile.
Do all 2004 Lincoln models use the same tire size?
No, 2004 Lincoln models do not all use the same tire size. The LS uses either 225/55R16 or 235/50R17, while the Town Car uses 225/60R17. Even though two of those sizes share a 17-inch wheel diameter, they are still different fitments with different section widths and aspect ratios.
The practical takeaway is that identifying the model is the first filter, and confirming the wheel diameter is the second. LS buyers often need to distinguish between two wheel packages, while Town Car buyers need to match the one size used on that model. Looking at the sidewall of the current tire is usually the fastest way to confirm which path applies to your 2004 Lincoln.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 2004 Lincoln tires?
Sidewall style depends on the model and size used on a 2004 Lincoln. The LS sizes, 225/55R16 and 235/50R17, are available as blackwall radials from BFGoodrich. The Town Car size, 225/60R17, is available as a narrow whitewall radial from Travelstar. That split lines up well with how the two cars were positioned: the LS as a sport sedan and the Town Car as a more formal luxury sedan.
For appearance-conscious owners, sidewall choice can be almost as important as the size itself. A blackwall suits the LS's newer, performance-oriented character, while a narrow whitewall better matches the Town Car's traditional Lincoln look. If originality of presentation matters to you, choose the sidewall style that fits the personality of your specific 2004 Lincoln rather than treating all three sizes as visually interchangeable.
What brands make tires for 2004 Lincoln vehicles?
Two brands cover the 2004 Lincoln sizes here. BFGoodrich supplies the LS fitments in 225/55R16 and 235/50R17, while Travelstar covers the Town Car's 225/60R17. All of these are radial tires, but they are aimed at different uses and visual preferences depending on the model.
Brand choice is tied closely to size choice on a 2004 Lincoln because the LS and Town Car do not overlap on the same replacement options. LS owners looking at 16-inch or 17-inch fitments will stay within BFGoodrich offerings here, while Town Car owners seeking the 225/60R17 with a luxury-oriented whitewall look will be looking at Travelstar. Start with the correct size, then compare brand character within that fitment.
What is the difference between BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp 2 and BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 A/S for the 2004 Lincoln LS?
For the 2004 Lincoln LS in 225/55R16, both BFGoodrich options are blackwall radials in the g-Force family and both use a 16-inch rim with a 6.0 to 8.0-inch rim width range. Both also carry a 95W service description in that size, and both weigh 26 pounds. The practical distinction is in the series itself: g-Force Sport Comp 2 and g-Force Comp 2 A/S are separate product lines within BFGoodrich's performance-oriented radial range.
That means an LS owner is not choosing between two different fitments so much as choosing between two versions of the same basic size and visual style. Because the dimensions and service description align closely here, the decision comes down to the specific series you prefer within BFGoodrich's lineup. Staying focused on the exact 225/55R16 size keeps the comparison clean and prevents drifting into the 17-inch LS fitment by mistake.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 2004 Lincoln tires require?
Rim width depends on the size used on the 2004 Lincoln. The LS size 225/55R16 fits a 6.0 to 8.0-inch rim width range, while the LS size 235/50R17 fits a 6.5 to 8.5-inch rim width range. The Town Car size 225/60R17 uses a 6.5J rim. Those numbers matter because wheel diameter alone does not tell the whole fitment story.
A tire can share the correct wheel diameter and still be mismatched to the wheel if the rim width falls outside the intended range. That is especially relevant for 2004 Lincoln LS owners moving between 16-inch and 17-inch wheel packages or replacing aftermarket wheels. Verifying the wheel's width stamp or known wheel specification before mounting helps keep the tire profile and fit where it should be.
Do 2004 Lincoln tires require inner tubes?
The 2004 Lincoln sizes here are modern radial fitments and the available products do not carry tube-type markings. That points to tubeless use on the proper wheels for 225/55R16, 235/50R17, and 225/60R17 applications. Nothing in these sizes suggests the tube-type practice associated with much older collector fitments.
That said, wheel condition still matters just as much as tire type. If a 2004 Lincoln has damaged bead seats, corrosion, or nonstandard wheels, the issue to solve is the wheel itself rather than assuming a tube is the answer. A clean, sound wheel and a fresh valve stem are part of a proper installation for any LS or Town Car radial replacement.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 2004 Lincoln when the tires are fitted?
A 2004 Lincoln should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, welders, or other ozone-producing equipment. Long static storage can flatten the contact patch temporarily, especially on heavier cars such as a Town Car. Keeping the car out of standing moisture and off contaminated concrete also helps protect the rubber over time.
If the car will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally so one part of the tread is not carrying the load month after month. Some owners also use tire cradles or stands when storing a collector-driven LS or Town Car for the season. The goal is to reduce stress, preserve sidewall condition, and avoid discovering vibration or cracking only when the car comes back into service.
How long do tires on a 2004 Lincoln typically last?
On a 2004 Lincoln, tire age usually matters more than mileage, especially on low-use or second-car examples. A good working rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat around ten years from the DOT date code as a serious replacement threshold even if tread remains. Rubber hardens and ages whether the car is driven often or not.
That is why a Town Car with plenty of tread or an LS that only comes out on weekends can still be due for replacement. Check the DOT date code on every tire, including the spare if the car still carries one. Age, sidewall condition, and how well the tire holds pressure tell you more about continued serviceability than tread depth alone on a 2004 Lincoln.
How often should tires on a 2004 Lincoln be inspected?
Tires on a 2004 Lincoln should be inspected before every drive and more carefully before any longer highway trip. Look for cuts, bulges, irregular wear, sidewall cracking, and pressure loss on all three applicable sizes. Because these are tubeless radial applications, valve stem condition and bead sealing are also worth checking whenever the tires are serviced or the car has been sitting.
That routine is especially useful on occasional-use luxury cars, where tire problems can hide during long periods of storage. A quick visual inspection before local driving and a more thorough pressure and condition check before extended travel can catch issues early. Uneven wear on a 2004 Lincoln also deserves attention, since it may point to alignment, suspension, or inflation problems rather than tire age alone.
Safety & Road Use
Are 2004 Lincoln tires safe for highway driving?
Yes, the 2004 Lincoln tire options here are modern radial sizes appropriate for normal road use when they are in good condition, properly inflated, and correctly matched to the vehicle. The LS sizes 225/55R16 and 235/50R17 carry W speed ratings, which have a 168 mph ceiling, while the Town Car's 225/60R17 carries a T speed rating with a 118 mph ceiling. Those ratings are well beyond ordinary U.S. highway speeds.
Real-world safety on a 2004 Lincoln depends just as much on age, alignment, suspension health, and braking condition as on the speed symbol molded into the sidewall. An older Town Car or LS with fresh tires but neglected chassis components is not truly road-ready. Treat the tire as one part of the overall roadworthiness picture, especially before interstate driving or long-distance touring.
What inflation pressure should I use for 2004 Lincoln tires?
Inflation pressure on a 2004 Lincoln should follow the vehicle's factory recommendation for the exact model and wheel package, then be checked against the tire's own rated limit. The 225/55R16 BFGoodrich option shows a maximum load of 1521 pounds at 51 psi, and the 225/60R17 Travelstar shows 1709 pounds at 44 psi. Those figures are maximum-rated values for the tire, not a blanket instruction to inflate every 2004 Lincoln tire to that number.
Use the door placard or owner's manual for the starting pressure target on your specific LS or Town Car, then confirm the tire is appropriate for that use. Pressure should be checked cold, not after driving. If you change wheel package or move between LS fitments, revisit the pressure recommendation rather than assuming one setting works for every 2004 Lincoln configuration.
What should I check before taking a 2004 Lincoln on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 2004 Lincoln, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, punctures, bulges, and uneven wear, and verify cold inflation pressure on all four corners. Check the valve stems, confirm the spare is serviceable, and make sure the tires are the correct size for the model and wheel diameter. On an LS, that means confirming whether the car is on 16-inch or 17-inch wheels before the trip even starts.
A longer drive is also a good time to think beyond the tires. Older luxury cars can hide issues in shocks, steering components, brakes, and cooling systems that only show up after highway miles accumulate. When the tires are sound and the rest of the car has had a basic pre-trip inspection, a 2004 Lincoln is far better positioned for a smooth and predictable run.
