2016 Scion Tire Fitment Guide

2016 Scion vehicles use five different tire sizes across four models. The FR-S uses 215/45R17, the iA uses 185/60R16, the iM uses 225/45R17, and the tC uses either 225/45R18 or 235/35R19. Rim diameters therefore range from 16 inches through 19 inches, and the sizes are model-specific rather than shared across the whole 2016 Scion lineup.

That means the first question is not simply whether you have a 2016 Scion, but which model and wheel diameter you have. A 17-inch FR-S tire is not the same as a 17-inch iM tire, and a tC can move between two different wheel diameters. Check the size molded into the sidewall on the car now and compare it with your exact model before moving on to product selection.

On a 2016 Scion, 215/45R17 is a modern metric radial size. The 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. In the 2016 Scion range, that size belongs to the FR-S.

Understanding the code helps prevent a common mistake: matching only the wheel diameter and ignoring width and profile. A 17-inch tire from another 2016 Scion model will not necessarily be correct just because the wheel diameter matches. If your FR-S currently wears a different size, confirm whether the wheels have been changed from stock-style fitment before choosing a replacement.

No, 2016 Scion models do not use the same tire size. The iA, FR-S, iM, and tC each have their own fitment pattern, and the tC itself appears with both 18-inch and 19-inch applications. Every size in the range is a radial, but the dimensions and wheel diameters are different from model to model.

That distinction matters because Scion’s 2016 lineup mixed a subcompact sedan, a hatchback, and two coupes with very different roles. If you are unsure which model you have, confirm it from the VIN, registration, or badging before selecting a tire. Once the model is confirmed, the right size choice becomes much narrower and easier to verify against the wheel on the car.

2016 Scion tire options here are centered on Blackwall sidewall styling across the sport-compact sizes with available products. That suits the era and character of these cars, since late-model Scion applications such as the FR-S, iM, and tC were designed around contemporary radial performance tires rather than wide whitewall or vintage sidewall treatments.

For most 2016 Scion owners, the sidewall decision is therefore less about authenticity styling and more about choosing the right size and tire series for the car’s intended use. If appearance still matters, Blackwall maintains the clean, factory-appropriate modern look associated with Scion’s original market positioning. The more important comparison is among the available brands and performance-oriented product families in your exact size.

BFGoodrich and Nitto cover the available 2016 Scion sizes with products in several of the sport-oriented applications. BFGoodrich appears in 215/45R17, 225/45R17, 225/45R18, and 235/35R19, while Nitto appears in 225/45R17, 225/45R18, and 235/35R19. The common theme is modern radial Blackwall fitment for compact and sporty late-model Scion applications.

Brand choice becomes more relevant once you have narrowed the car to its exact size. An FR-S owner shopping 215/45R17 is choosing within BFGoodrich offerings, while an iM or tC owner in certain sizes can compare BFGoodrich and Nitto directly. If you are comparing brands, keep the conversation centered on your specific size first, then consider load, speed rating, and wheel-width compatibility.

For 2016 Scion applications where both appear, Nitto NT555 G2 and BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A overlap in size coverage but do not match exactly in every spec detail. In 225/45R17, both carry a 94W rating, with the Nitto showing a 1,477-pound load figure at 50 psi and a rim-width range centered around 7.0 to 8.5 inches, while the BFGoodrich also carries a 1,477-pound load figure at 50 psi with a 7 to 8.5 inch rim-width range. In 235/35R19, Nitto is rated 91W while BFGoodrich is rated 91Y.

That means the comparison is not just about brand preference. On the 19-inch tC fitment, speed rating is one of the meaningful differences, while on 225/45 applications the rim-width window and product family may guide the choice more than load capacity. Confirm your wheel width and decide whether you want to prioritize a familiar tire series, a broader fitment window, or a higher speed-rating ceiling where applicable.

Several 2016 Scion sizes have clear rim-width guidance. The 215/45R17 used on the FR-S fits 7.0 to 8.0 inch wheels in the BFGoodrich products shown. The 225/45R17 used on the iM spans roughly 7.0 to 8.5 inches in most products, with one BFGoodrich sport application extending to 8.5 to 10.0 inches. The 225/45R18 used on the tC generally fits 7.0 to 8.5 inch wheels, and the 235/35R19 tC application appears with an 8 to 9.5 inch rim-width range on one BFGoodrich product.

Wheel width matters because the same tire size can behave differently when mounted at the narrow or wide end of its approved range. Before selecting a tire, measure the actual wheel or confirm the wheel specification from the manufacturer or a trusted wheel source. That extra step is especially worthwhile if your 2016 Scion no longer has factory wheels or has been modified for a more aggressive stance.

The available 2016 Scion products shown here are modern radial fitments without tube-type markings, so they align with tubeless passenger-car applications rather than traditional tube-type collector tires. None of these Scion sizes use the older TT-style labeling common on vintage bias-ply fitments.

Even so, wheel condition still matters. A bent bead seat, corrosion, or an aftermarket wheel with sealing issues can create problems that have nothing to do with the tire itself. If your 2016 Scion has original-style modern wheels in sound condition, tubeless radial fitment is the normal expectation. If the wheels have been refinished, repaired, or replaced, inspect the sealing surfaces and valve stems before mounting fresh tires.

Original 2016 Scion wheels cannot be treated as universal across all tire sizes, because the lineup uses 16-inch, 17-inch, 18-inch, and 19-inch diameters. The iA, FR-S, iM, and tC each occupy different parts of that range, and the tC itself crosses two wheel diameters. A tire must match the wheel diameter exactly before any other fitment consideration comes into play.

Within a single model, the correct original wheel can be reused if its diameter and width match the intended tire’s approved range. Across different 2016 Scion models, however, the answer is usually no, even when two cars seem visually similar. If you are trying to reuse existing wheels, verify both the wheel diameter and wheel width first, then compare those measurements against the tire size you plan to mount.

A 2016 Scion should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment. Clean, dry concrete is better than damp ground, and the car benefits from being moved occasionally so the same part of each tread is not carrying the load for months at a time.

Because these are modern radials rather than vintage bias-ply tires, they generally tolerate storage better, but neglect still shortens tire life. Set pressures correctly before storage, avoid letting the car sit underinflated, and inspect the sidewalls when bringing the car back into service. If the Scion will be parked for a very long period, support methods that reduce constant load can also help preserve the tires’ shape.

On a 2016 Scion, tire life should be judged by age and condition as much as by tread depth. A good rule for collector and low-mileage use is to begin evaluating tires closely once they are about five to seven years old and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the reference for the tire’s age.

That matters because many Scion coupes and hatchbacks are enthusiast-owned and may see limited annual mileage, which can make old tires look healthier than they really are. A tire with strong tread but hardened rubber, age cracking, or repeated pressure loss is still ready for replacement. If you have just acquired a 2016 Scion, checking date codes is one of the smartest first maintenance steps.

Tires on a 2016 Scion deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more careful inspection before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, punctures, uneven wear, bulges, cuts, and low pressure. On cars with performance-oriented sizes such as the FR-S and tC, shoulder wear can also tell you a lot about alignment and use patterns.

A short check can prevent a much bigger problem on the road. Run your hand across the tread for irregular wear, verify pressure with an accurate gauge, and inspect the valve stems while you are there. If the car has been stored, driven rarely, or recently fitted with new wheels, add a closer look at bead seating and overall tire age before committing to a highway trip.

A 2016 Scion FR-S belongs to the modern era of radial passenger-car fitment, and the size used here is 215/45R17. That tells you the original-style direction is a low-profile radial on a 17-inch wheel, not an older bias-ply or period-style collector tire. Since late-model import applications could vary by market package or wheel option, model-specific confirmation is still worthwhile if your car has a nonstandard appearance.

For a factory-correct presentation, the key points are the right size, the right radial construction, and an appropriately modern sidewall style. If your FR-S is being prepared for marque judging or a highly detailed restoration, compare the tire on the car to period sales literature, window-sticker records, or owner community references. That is especially useful if the car has changed hands and may have received aftermarket wheels at some point.

Correct tire fitment can matter on a shown 2016 Scion, especially in classes that value factory-correct presentation rather than modified taste. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size, sidewall profile, and overall stance match the car’s original character. On a late-model import like a Scion, obviously mismatched diameters, exaggerated sidewall stretch, or an incorrect overall profile are the kinds of choices most likely to draw attention.

That does not mean every event applies the same standard. A casual local show may welcome tasteful wheel and tire changes, while a preservation-focused event may place much more emphasis on original-style fitment. If authenticity matters to you, keep the tire size aligned with your exact model and wheel setup, and consult a Scion or Toyota enthusiast group if the car sits in a gray area between stock and modified.

Within 2016 Scion fitments, BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp 2 and BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 A/S overlap in sizes such as 215/45R17, 225/45R17, and 225/45R18, but they are separate tire series. In 215/45R17, both carry a W speed rating, while the Sport Comp 2 also shows a 1,201-pound load figure at 51 psi on one version. In 225/45R18, both carry a 95W rating, and the Sport Comp 2 shows a 1,521-pound load figure at 50 psi on one version.

For a 2016 Scion owner focused on period-correct late-model appearance, both remain visually appropriate modern Blackwall radials. The practical distinction is choosing the product family that best fits how the car is actually used, then confirming the wheel width and exact size. When two series share the same fitment, it is worth comparing their individual load, pressure, and wheel-width details rather than assuming they are interchangeable in every respect.

Yes, the available 2016 Scion sizes are modern radial tires intended for contemporary road use, and the speed ratings shown are appropriate for normal U.S. highway travel. W-rated products carry a 112 mph ceiling, and the BFGoodrich 235/35R19 option for the tC carries a Y rating with a 186 mph ceiling or higher. Those figures are well beyond ordinary interstate speeds.

Real-world safety depends just as much on age, inflation, alignment, and overall vehicle condition as on the speed letter molded into the tire. A healthy FR-S, iM, or tC on fresh, correctly inflated tires is a very different proposition from the same car on old rubber with hidden age cracking. Before a highway trip, check the tire’s age and condition first, then make sure the car’s brakes and suspension are equally ready.

Inflation pressure on a 2016 Scion should start with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for the exact model and tire size, then be checked against the tire’s own rated maximum figures where those are stated. Some of these tires show maximum load and pressure pairings such as 1,356 pounds at 50 psi for certain 215/45R17 and 235/35R19 products, 1,477 pounds at 50 psi for some 225/45R17 products, and 1,521 pounds at 50 psi for some 225/45R18 products. Those are tire capacity limits, not blanket operating pressures for every Scion.

That distinction is important because running every tire at its sidewall maximum is not the same as using the correct vehicle pressure. The right operating pressure depends on the exact model, weight distribution, and intended load. Use the door-jamb placard or owner’s manual as the first reference for day-to-day inflation, then fine-tune only within the tire maker’s approved limits if a wheel or tire change has altered the original setup.

Before taking a 2016 Scion on a longer drive, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracks, cuts, bulges, punctures, and abnormal wear, then verify cold pressure with a quality gauge. Look closely at the sidewalls, especially on lower-profile sizes such as 215/45R17, 225/45R18, and 235/35R19, where curb damage can be easier to miss. Also confirm that the valve stems are in good condition and that the wheels are free from obvious bends.

That tire check should be part of a broader pre-trip look at the car. Make sure the brakes, fluids, battery, and lights are all ready, and pay attention to alignment or vibration issues that may already be telegraphing a tire or wheel problem. If the Scion has been sitting, give yourself enough time for a slow shakedown drive before a longer journey instead of discovering an age-related tire issue at highway speed.