2009 Lincoln reflected the brand’s transition into modern luxury, with the new MKS sedan pushing upscale technology and bold styling, the MKZ carrying the midsize luxury role, and the Town Car continuing as Lincoln’s traditional full-size flagship. That mix means tire sizing is not shared across the lineup: three different radial sizes serve the MKS alone, while the MKZ and Town Car each use their own 17-inch fitment. For most buyers, the real first step is identifying the exact model, then confirming whether your car uses a 17-, 18-, 19-, or 20-inch wheel. Once that is settled, choosing the right tire becomes much more straightforward.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 2009 Lincoln
Five tire sizes are used across 2009 Lincoln vehicles, and they vary by model rather than being shared across the full lineup. Every size here is a radial, so the key decision is confirming the correct model and wheel diameter first, especially because the MKS alone spans three different fitments. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps ensure the right match.
235/55R18 is a metric radial size with a 235 millimeter section width, a 55 aspect ratio, and fitment for an 18-inch wheel. This size is specific to the 2009 Lincoln MKS, and the available product details here do not add brand or sidewall variety for this fitment. It suits an MKS owner who has confirmed the factory 18-inch wheel package and wants to stay with the original fitment path for that wheel diameter.
Year(s): 2009|Fit(s): MKS|Construction: Radial|Rim: 20 in
245/45R20 is a metric radial size with a 245 millimeter section width, a 45 aspect ratio, and fitment for a 20-inch wheel. This size is specific to the 2009 Lincoln MKS and is available from BFGoodrich and Nitto in Blackwall form, with W, Y, and ZR-marked versions appearing across the range; BFGoodrich covers W-rated 112 mph and Y-rated 186 mph options, while Nitto offers a W-rated 112 mph option. It is the choice for MKS owners who have confirmed the 20-inch wheel package and want a modern radial performance-oriented replacement in the correct size.
255/45R19 is a metric radial size with a 255 millimeter section width, a 45 aspect ratio, and fitment for a 19-inch wheel. This size is specific to the 2009 Lincoln MKS, and the available product details here do not add brand or sidewall variety for this fitment. It fits buyers who have confirmed the 19-inch MKS wheel setup and want to keep the correct diameter relationship for that package.
Year(s): 2009|Fit(s): MKZ|Construction: Radial|Rim: 17 in
225/50R17 is a metric radial size with a 225 millimeter section width, a 50 aspect ratio, and fitment for a 17-inch wheel. This size is specific to the 2009 Lincoln MKZ and is available from BFGoodrich and Nitto in Blackwall form, with W-rated products carrying a 112 mph ceiling and ZR-marked versions also appearing within the same size family. It is the natural fit for an MKZ owner who wants a modern radial replacement while staying with the proper 17-inch fitment.
Year(s): 2009|Fit(s): Town Car|Construction: Radial|Rim: 17 in
225/60R17 is a metric radial size with a 225 millimeter section width, a 60 aspect ratio, and fitment for a 17-inch wheel. This size is specific to the 2009 Lincoln Town Car and is available as a Travelstar Narrow Whitewall radial with a T speed rating, good for 118 mph. It is the right direction for Town Car owners who want the taller-profile 17-inch luxury-sedan fitment and a sidewall appearance more in keeping with that model’s traditional character.
Three Lincoln models are covered for 2009, and tire size varies by model rather than carrying across the whole make. In practical terms, that means year and make alone are not enough here, especially because the MKS uses three different wheel diameters while the MKZ and Town Car each follow their own 17-inch fitment. Select your model below to narrow the fitment history and tire choices correctly.
2009 Lincoln MKS
The 2009 Lincoln MKS was Lincoln’s newer full-size luxury sedan, designed to give the brand a more modern flagship than the long-running Town Car. Its tires mount on 18-, 19-, or 20-inch wheels depending on the wheel package, so MKS owners need to confirm wheel diameter before moving any farther in the tire search.
The 2009 Lincoln MKZ served as Lincoln’s midsize luxury sedan, with a quieter, more understated mission than the larger MKS. Its tire fitment mounts on 17-inch wheels, which makes the model identification step simple once you have confirmed you are working with an MKZ rather than another 2009 Lincoln sedan.
The 2009 Lincoln Town Car carried forward one of the last traditional American luxury-sedan formulas, with body-on-frame construction and a strong reputation for comfort. Its tires mount on 17-inch wheels, but the fitment differs from the MKZ through a taller 225/60R17 size that better suits the Town Car’s full-size character.
Associated Tire Sizes:
225/60R17 — radial, taller-profile traditional luxury fitment
Eight products are available across three of the five tire sizes used on 2009 Lincoln vehicles. The 245/45R20 offers four BFGoodrich and Nitto radial Blackwall options, the 225/50R17 carries three BFGoodrich and Nitto radial Blackwall choices, and the 225/60R17 is available as one Travelstar radial Narrow Whitewall. Confirm your exact size first, since speed ratings vary within some fitments.
These answers focus on how 2009 Lincoln tire fitment changes between the MKS, MKZ, and Town Car, what the metric size codes mean, which sidewall styles and brands appear by size, and what to inspect on a modern-era luxury car that may see limited collector use.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 2009 Lincoln vehicles?
2009 Lincoln vehicles use five different tire sizes across three models. The MKS uses 235/55R18, 255/45R19, or 245/45R20 depending on wheel package, the MKZ uses 225/50R17, and the Town Car uses 225/60R17. Rim diameters therefore span 17, 18, 19, and 20 inches across the make, with 17-inch fitments shared only in diameter, not in the same tire size.
The practical takeaway is that year and make are only the starting point for 2009 Lincoln fitment. You need to identify whether you have an MKS, MKZ, or Town Car, and in the case of the MKS, you also need to confirm the actual wheel diameter on the car before selecting a tire. That prevents confusion between similar-looking luxury sedans that use distinctly different proportions.
What does 225/50R17 mean on a 2009 Lincoln tire?
On a 2009 Lincoln, 225/50R17 is a metric radial size code. The 225 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the 50 is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 50 percent of the section width, the R identifies radial construction, and the 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. For 2009 Lincoln applications, this size belongs to the MKZ.
That decoding matters because it tells you more than just whether the tire will mount on the wheel. It also defines the tire’s overall profile and helps preserve the balance Lincoln intended between ride quality, steering response, and gearing. If your car is an MKZ, 225/50R17 points you to the correct 17-inch fitment rather than the taller Town Car size or the larger-diameter MKS options.
Do all 2009 Lincoln models use the same tire size?
No, 2009 Lincoln models do not all use the same tire size. The MKZ uses 225/50R17, the Town Car uses 225/60R17, and the MKS branches into three different sizes: 235/55R18, 255/45R19, and 245/45R20. Even where rim diameter overlaps within the make, the tire dimensions themselves are not interchangeable by default.
That difference is important because a Town Car and an MKZ may both wear 17-inch tires, yet the profile and overall dimensions are not the same. The MKS adds another layer because wheel package determines whether the car takes an 18-, 19-, or 20-inch fitment. Checking the sidewall on the existing tire or verifying the wheel diameter directly is the fastest way to avoid choosing the wrong size.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 2009 Lincoln tires?
Sidewall style varies by size on 2009 Lincoln applications. The 245/45R20 for the MKS and the 225/50R17 for the MKZ are available in Blackwall form, which suits the modern luxury-sport look of those sedans. The 225/60R17 for the Town Car is available as a Narrow Whitewall radial, which aligns more naturally with the Town Car’s traditional luxury presentation.
Choosing sidewall style is partly visual and partly about how you want the car to read at a glance. A Blackwall keeps the appearance contemporary and understated, while a Narrow Whitewall gives a Town Car more of the formal American luxury character many owners want to preserve. If appearance matters as much as fitment, match the sidewall style to the personality of the specific Lincoln model.
What brands make tires for 2009 Lincoln vehicles?
Three brands appear across the available 2009 Lincoln fitments here: BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Travelstar. BFGoodrich and Nitto cover the 245/45R20 MKS size, while BFGoodrich and Nitto also cover the 225/50R17 MKZ size. Travelstar appears in the 225/60R17 Town Car size with a Narrow Whitewall radial option.
Brand choice follows the character of each fitment. The BFGoodrich and Nitto options lean toward modern Blackwall radial replacements for the MKS and MKZ, while the Travelstar Town Car option adds a more traditional sidewall look. Once you have confirmed the correct size, brand selection becomes a question of appearance, speed rating, and the overall style you want the car to carry.
What is the difference between BFGoodrich and Nitto options for 2009 Lincoln MKZ tires?
In 225/50R17 for the 2009 Lincoln MKZ, both BFGoodrich and Nitto offer Blackwall radial tires, but the available specifications are not identical. BFGoodrich covers 94W versions with a 6.0 to 8.0 inch rim-width range, while Nitto offers a 98W XL version with a 6.0 to 8.0 inch fitment window and a 1,653-pound maximum load rating at 50 psi. Weight figures also differ slightly between the products.
That means the decision is not simply about brand preference. An MKZ owner comparing these tires should look at the load index, any XL designation, and the rim-width range against the actual wheel on the car. If your priorities include staying close to the original luxury-sedan feel, keep the size constant first, then compare how each product’s construction details align with your driving expectations.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 2009 Lincoln tires require?
Rim width guidance is available for several 2009 Lincoln sizes. The 245/45R20 used on the MKS fits 7.5 to 9.0 inch rims, and the 225/50R17 used on the MKZ fits 6.0 to 8.0 inch rims. The 225/60R17 used on the Town Car is paired here with a 6.5J wheel specification. Those dimensions are tied to the specific size, not to the Lincoln brand as a whole.
Rim width matters because the same wheel diameter does not guarantee the wheel is the right width for a given tire. A 17-inch tire for an MKZ and a 17-inch tire for a Town Car are not automatically interchangeable simply because they mount on 17-inch wheels. Before choosing any replacement, verify both the tire size and the actual wheel width on the car to keep the fitment within the intended range.
Do 2009 Lincoln tires require inner tubes?
The available 2009 Lincoln fitments here are modern radial sizes, and no tube-type marking appears in these product selections. The BFGoodrich, Nitto, Travelstar, MKS, MKZ, and Town Car applications shown here align with contemporary tubeless-style passenger tire practice rather than vintage tube-type construction. Where a size string includes extra service markings such as XL or speed letters, those do not change the basic radial passenger-tire format.
Even so, the wheel itself still matters. If a 2009 Lincoln is running original-style modern wheels in sound condition, tubeless fitment is the expected direction, but valve stem condition and wheel sealing surfaces still deserve attention. If the car has aftermarket wheels or has been stored for long periods, inspect the wheel and valve hardware carefully before assuming the tire alone will solve an air-loss problem.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 2009 Lincoln when the tires are fitted?
A 2009 Lincoln stores best in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can accelerate rubber aging. Keep the tires properly inflated, avoid prolonged contact with standing moisture, and move the car periodically so the same section of tread is not carrying the load for months at a time. Radial tires generally tolerate storage better than older bias-ply designs, but they still age when parked.
Luxury sedans such as the MKS, MKZ, and Town Car are often driven infrequently, which makes storage habits more important than mileage. If the car will sit for an extended period, a clean indoor floor and occasional rolling or the use of stands can help reduce temporary flat spotting and stress on the casing. A quick pressure check before returning the car to regular use is always worthwhile.
How long do tires on a 2009 Lincoln typically last?
Tire age on a 2009 Lincoln should be judged more by time and condition than by mileage alone. A good rule is to begin evaluating aging closely around five to seven years and to give serious replacement consideration as a tire approaches ten years from its DOT date code, even if the tread still looks healthy. Heat cycles, storage conditions, and underinflation can shorten that timetable.
That guidance is especially important for collector-kept or low-mileage Lincolns, where a car may look excellent but still be riding on old rubber. A Town Car that only sees weekend use and an MKS that spends most of its time garaged can both age out their tires before they wear them out. Checking the date code and overall condition is more useful than relying on tread depth alone.
How often should tires on a 2009 Lincoln be inspected?
Tires on a 2009 Lincoln should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer highway outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, embedded objects, and slow pressure loss. Because these are modern radial passenger tires, uniform wear across the tread and stable inflation are strong indicators that the tire, wheel, and alignment are all working together as they should.
A brief inspection takes only a minute and can catch problems before they turn into vibration, heat buildup, or roadside trouble. On an MKS or MKZ, also pay attention to wear patterns that may suggest suspension or alignment drift, especially on wider, lower-profile fitments. On a Town Car, a calm ride can sometimes mask a tire issue until it becomes more advanced, so visual inspection still matters.
Safety & Road Use
Are 2009 Lincoln tires safe for highway driving?
Yes, the available 2009 Lincoln tire fitments here are modern radial passenger tires suited to highway use when they are the correct size, properly inflated, and in sound condition. The 225/60R17 Town Car option carries a T rating, which corresponds to 118 mph, and the 225/50R17 and 245/45R20 fitments include W-rated 112 mph and Y-rated 186 mph options, along with ZR-marked products in those performance-oriented sizes. In normal use, the car’s condition matters just as much as the tire’s speed capability.
A safe highway setup depends on the whole package: tire age, inflation, wheel condition, alignment, braking system health, and suspension condition. On a 2009 Lincoln, that is especially true because these are heavier luxury sedans whose ride quality can hide early warning signs. The correct approach is to match the proper size to the car, confirm the tire is in good shape, and make sure the rest of the chassis is equally ready.
What inflation pressure should I use for 2009 Lincoln tires?
Inflation pressure for a 2009 Lincoln should start with the vehicle placard or owner’s manual, because factory pressure recommendations are vehicle-specific even when tire sizes appear similar. The tire products themselves carry maximum load and pressure figures that describe the tire’s rated capacity, not the day-to-day operating pressure for every Lincoln application. Examples here include 1,930 pounds at 50 psi for one 245/45R20, 1,653 pounds at 50 psi for one 225/50R17, and 1,709 pounds at 44 psi for the 225/60R17 Town Car tire.
Those figures should not be transferred from one size to another or treated as a blanket inflation recommendation for the entire make. A Town Car’s needs differ from an MKZ’s, and an MKS on 20-inch tires differs again. Use the car’s factory pressure guidance as the baseline, then confirm the tire’s own service limits so you stay within both the vehicle’s intended setup and the tire manufacturer’s rating.
What should I check before taking a 2009 Lincoln on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 2009 Lincoln, inspect all four tires and the spare for proper inflation, visible cracking, tread damage, uneven wear, cuts, and any bulges in the sidewall. Check that the valve stems are sound, the wheels are free from obvious damage, and the tires are not aged beyond what you are comfortable trusting for highway use. On lower-profile MKS and MKZ fitments, curb damage deserves especially close attention.
The tires are only one part of a broader pre-trip check on a modern-era luxury car. Brakes, suspension, battery condition, and fluid levels all matter, particularly if the car has spent long stretches parked. For tire-specific confidence, verify that the size on the car matches the model, that pressures are set correctly when cold, and that the spare is not an afterthought you have not inspected in years.
