2016 Lincoln Tire Fitment Guide

2016 Lincoln vehicles use four sizes across two models: the MKS uses 245/45R20 and 255/45R19, while the MKZ uses 245/40R19 and 245/45R18. All four are radial sizes, but they do not share the same rim diameter. Where product fitment dimensions are published, 245/45R20 fits 20-inch wheels with 7.5 to 9.0-inch rim widths, 245/40R19 fits 19-inch wheels with 8.0 to 9.5-inch rim widths, and 245/45R18 fits 18-inch wheels with 7.5 to 9.0-inch rim widths.

The practical point is that a 2016 Lincoln owner needs to identify both the model and the wheel package before choosing a tire. An MKS owner may be deciding between 19-inch and 20-inch fitment, while an MKZ owner may be deciding between 18-inch and 19-inch fitment. Matching the exact size on the car avoids clearance issues, keeps the intended overall proportions, and preserves the driving character Lincoln engineered into each sedan.

On a 2016 Lincoln, 245/45R20 is a metric radial size. The 245 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 45 percent of the section width, the R identifies radial construction, and 20 is the wheel diameter in inches. This size belongs to the 2016 Lincoln MKS and mounts on a 20-inch wheel, with published rim width coverage of 7.5 to 9.0 inches.

That code matters because it tells you more than width alone. A 245/45R20 combines a relatively wide tread with a shorter sidewall than older luxury-car sizes, which suits the larger-wheel appearance used on late-model Lincolns. If your MKS currently wears 20-inch wheels, staying with 245/45R20 keeps you in the correct diameter family and lets you compare speed rating, load rating, and brand choice within the proper fitment.

No. 2016 Lincoln models do not share a single tire size across the range. The MKS uses 245/45R20 or 255/45R19, while the MKZ uses 245/40R19 or 245/45R18. Even when two sizes share a 19-inch rim diameter, they are not interchangeable by name because the section width and aspect ratio differ, and those differences affect overall dimensions and intended fitment.

That means year and make alone are only the starting point for a correct choice. If you are replacing tires on a 2016 Lincoln, check the exact model first and then verify the wheel diameter on the car. Door-jamb placards, the current tire sidewall, and the actual wheel itself are the fastest ways to confirm whether you should be shopping 18-inch, 19-inch, or 20-inch fitment.

2016 Lincoln tire options in these sizes are Blackwall radials. The 245/45R20, 245/40R19, and 245/45R18 all appear in Blackwall form, which aligns well with the contemporary luxury-sedan look of the MKS and MKZ. No whitewall or specialty vintage sidewall treatment appears in these fitments, so the visual character stays clean and modern rather than overtly retro.

For most owners, that means the main visual decision is brand and tread style rather than sidewall treatment. Blackwall tires suit late-model Lincoln sedans well because they preserve the understated factory-era appearance and do not clash with larger alloy wheel packages. If appearance is a major part of the project, focus on matching the correct wheel diameter and tire profile first, then compare available Blackwall options within that size.

BFGoodrich and Nitto cover the 2016 Lincoln sizes shown here. The 245/45R20 for the MKS is available from BFGoodrich and Nitto, the 245/40R19 for the MKZ is covered by BFGoodrich, and the 245/45R18 for the MKZ is available from BFGoodrich and Nitto. Across those sizes, the offerings are modern radial Blackwalls with performance-oriented series names rather than vintage-style reproduction tires.

Brand choice becomes more meaningful after the size is settled, because not every brand appears in every fitment. An MKS owner on 20-inch wheels has a broader brand spread than an MKZ owner shopping 245/40R19, for example. Once you know the exact size, compare speed rating, load rating, and preferred tire character within the brands that serve that fitment rather than assuming every 2016 Lincoln size has the same selection.

For 2016 Lincoln fitments where both appear, BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp 2 and BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A share the same basic size class but differ in some published specifications. In 245/45R20, the Sport Comp 2 carries a 103W rating and 1,930-pound maximum load at 50 psi, while the Phenom T/A carries a 103Y rating and 1,929-pound maximum load at 50 psi; both fit 7.5 to 9.0-inch rims. In 245/40R19, the Sport Comp 2 is a 98W while the Phenom T/A is a 98Y, and both fit 8.0 to 9.5-inch rims.

Those differences matter most if you are comparing speed category and small spec details within the same size, not changing the basic fitment of the car. A 2016 Lincoln owner should first lock in the correct size, then decide whether the specific rating and series characteristics align with the way the car will be driven. The same approach applies in 245/45R18, where both series also appear alongside another BFGoodrich option and a Nitto alternative.

Rim width requirements for 2016 Lincoln tires depend on the exact size. The 245/45R20 used on the MKS fits 7.5 to 9.0-inch rims where published, the 245/40R19 used on the MKZ fits 8.0 to 9.5-inch rims, and the 245/45R18 used on the MKZ fits 7.5 to 9.0-inch rims. Those ranges are broad enough to cover factory-style wheels, but they are still size-specific and should not be transferred from one fitment to another.

That makes wheel verification especially important if your Lincoln has aftermarket wheels or if the car changed hands with a non-original wheel package. Confirm the actual wheel diameter first, then check that the rim width falls inside the approved range for the tire size you plan to use. Staying within the proper range helps preserve tread shape, steering response, and sidewall behavior the tire was engineered to deliver.

2016 Lincoln tires in these fitments are modern radial passenger-car sizes, and no tube-type marking appears in the available size markings. The sizes shown use contemporary radial construction, with several carrying XL markings and modern speed ratings rather than tube-type notation. That points buyers toward tubeless-style fitment on proper modern wheels unless a specific wheel condition or specialty setup requires different advice from a wheel specialist.

The important takeaway is to match the tire to a sound wheel in the correct diameter and to inspect the valve stem condition at the same time. If the car wears original-style late-model wheels in good condition, tube-related concerns are generally less central than they would be on much older collector vehicles. When in doubt, verify the exact sidewall marking on the tire you choose and confirm the wheel condition before mounting.

A 2016 Lincoln should be stored with the tires clean, properly inflated, and protected from sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that accelerate rubber aging. Keep the car on a dry surface, avoid long-term contact with petroleum contamination, and move it periodically so one patch of tread does not carry the load for months at a time. Modern radials generally resist long-term flat-spotting better than older bias-ply designs, but they still benefit from good storage habits.

If the car will sit for an extended season, a small amount of periodic movement or the use of tire cradles can help reduce stress at the contact patch. Owners who maintain a collector-grade MKZ or MKS should also check pressures before and after storage, since underinflation during downtime is one of the easiest ways to shorten tire life. Good storage is less about cosmetics and more about preserving the casing, sidewalls, and ride quality.

On a 2016 Lincoln, tire age often matters more than mileage, especially for a low-use luxury car or collector-kept example. A sensible rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to consider replacement around ten years regardless of remaining tread, using the DOT date code as part of that decision. Heat cycles, climate, storage quality, and inflation habits all influence lifespan as much as the number of miles driven.

That means an MKS or MKZ with plenty of tread can still need replacement if the rubber has hardened or the sidewalls are beginning to crack. Owners sometimes focus on tread depth because the car is driven sparingly, but age-related deterioration is often the bigger issue on modern collector vehicles. Checking the manufacturing date and comparing it with the tire’s physical condition gives a more realistic picture than mileage alone.

Tires on a 2016 Lincoln deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more thorough inspection before any longer highway outing. Look for sidewall cracking, punctures, bulges, uneven tread wear, and signs of pressure loss, and do not forget the spare if the car still carries one. Because these are low-profile modern radial sizes, curb damage and impact-related sidewall issues can be more important to catch than on older, taller-profile collector tires.

A routine inspection takes only a few minutes and can prevent vibration, poor handling, or a roadside problem that would have been easy to catch earlier. If your Lincoln has been sitting, verify pressure with a gauge rather than relying on appearance alone, since modern radials can look acceptable while still being low. Any visible damage, repeated air loss, or unusual wear pattern deserves attention before the car goes back into regular use.

A 2016 Lincoln MKS was originally part of the modern radial era, so radial construction is the authentic starting point rather than bias-ply. The MKS appears here with two contemporary fitments, 245/45R20 and 255/45R19, both tied to specific wheel packages. That means originality on an MKS is less about choosing between vintage construction types and more about matching the tire size and wheel diameter that belong on the exact car you own.

For a faithful restoration or preservation-minded replacement, verify the size on the original placard, wheel, or surviving factory paperwork and then keep the same size family. Late-model Lincolns are often judged more on overall correctness and condition than on historic sidewall styling, so the right diameter and profile matter most. If your car has unusual option content or market-specific equipment, a Lincoln marque specialist can help confirm the exact factory pairing.

Yes, correct tire fitment still matters when showing a 2016 Lincoln, even though the standards differ from those applied to older classics. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts will notice whether the car carries the proper size family, the correct wheel diameter, and an overall appearance that matches the era of the MKS or MKZ. A mismatched profile, an incorrect diameter, or a visibly non-period wheel-and-tire combination can stand out quickly on a late-model luxury sedan.

For most 2016 Lincoln show situations, accuracy means keeping the right modern radial proportions rather than chasing a vintage-style look. A clean Blackwall tire in the proper size usually supports the factory appearance much better than an improvised fitment that alters stance or sidewall profile. If the event uses strict marque judging, check with the organizing club so the tire size, wheel package, and presentation align with that event’s expectations.

For 2016 Lincoln sizes where both appear, BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 A/S and Nitto NT555 G2 differ in published specifications and size coverage. In 245/45R18, the BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 A/S appears as a 96W on a 7.5 to 9.0-inch rim range, while the Nitto NT555 G2 appears as an XL 100W with a 1,764-pound maximum load at 50 psi and a 7.5 to 9.0-inch rim range. In 245/45R20, Nitto NT555 G2 appears as a 103W XL, while BFGoodrich also offers multiple alternatives in that same size family.

Those details make this a good comparison for owners choosing within the correct size rather than changing fitment altogether. The BFGoodrich all-season naming and the Nitto series name suggest different product personalities, but the safest way to compare is to stay with published factors such as load rating, XL marking, and exact size availability. Once the correct tire size is confirmed, those product-level differences help narrow the choice according to how the car is actually used.

Yes, the 2016 Lincoln tire sizes covered here are modern radial fitments intended for contemporary road use, and the available products carry W or Y speed ratings depending on the exact tire. W corresponds to 112 mph and Y corresponds to 186+ mph, which is well beyond normal legal highway travel. In real use, the condition of the tire, inflation level, alignment, suspension, and the car’s overall mechanical health matter more than the raw speed category for ordinary interstate driving.

That said, a speed rating is not a license to ignore age, damage, or neglect. A 2016 Lincoln used for touring should have tires that are properly inflated, free of sidewall cracking, and matched as a set where practical. If the car has sat for long periods or has very old tires despite low mileage, inspect or replace them before assuming highway readiness, because aging and storage issues can outweigh the original capability of the tire design.

Inflation pressure on a 2016 Lincoln should start with the factory vehicle recommendation, while the tire itself provides the maximum pressure associated with its rated load. Published figures here include 245/45R20 products up to 1,930 pounds at 50 psi, 245/40R19 products up to 1,653 pounds at 50 psi, and 245/45R18 products ranging from 1,565 pounds at 51 psi to 1,764 pounds at 50 psi. Those numbers are not universal operating pressures; they are rating references tied to specific products and loads.

The safest practice is to use the Lincoln placard or owner’s manual for everyday cold inflation targets, then compare that with the selected tire’s sidewall information. Do not transfer a pressure figure from one size to another or assume a max-load number is the normal running pressure. If the car has non-original wheels, unusual loading, or a tire with an XL designation, it is worth confirming the setup carefully before extended driving.

Before a longer drive in a 2016 Lincoln, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, punctures, bulges, and uneven wear, and confirm pressures with the tires cold. Check that the valve stems are in good condition, look over the inner sidewalls if possible, and make sure the spare is serviceable if the car carries one. Since these sizes are all modern radials with relatively low sidewall profiles, wheel damage and alignment-related wear deserve close attention as well.

A longer trip is also the right time to think beyond the tire itself. Because the MKS and MKZ are now older modern cars, tire condition should be part of a broader pre-drive check that includes brakes, suspension, and fluid condition. If the car has been sitting, a slow test drive near home can reveal vibration or pull before committing to highway miles, giving you a chance to correct tire or chassis issues early.