Winter tires

[cfretz]

Were very happy with our 22 corsair. It has the 20" rims with 245/45 R20 tires. Considering a set of winter tires and my mechanic suggested getting rims too as 20's are expensive to swap out semi annually.

Tire rack has options starting with a 225 r17 and 235r18. Id rather not get another set of 245 R20's. Do we need to change the settings to run a 225 or 235 tire size if im replacing all 4?

He was unsure if the lincoln can accept different tire sizes from stock without causing error messages.

Thanks!

Chris

 

[driller]

Not necessarily specific to your year and model, but in general if the tire diameter is close enough to the original equipment there will be no 'error messages' or other problems.

What you fail to mention is the aspect ratio of the tires in question, that is the "45" part of the 245/45 R20 OEM tire size designation. Tire Rack does a good job suggesting tires for a specific vehicle based upon the original equipment, so following their recommendations will usually be correct.

My concern is that your mechanic is unsure of this generic information.

You can 'ballpark' the tire diameter of any tire with some simple math and the tire specification. Let's use the OEM size of 245/45R20 as an example.

245 = Tire Width(mm)
45 = Aspect Ratio(%)
20 = Wheel Diameter(in)

The aspect ratio is a percentage of the tire width which determines the sidewall measurement. In this case:

245 X 45% =110.25 mm

To arrive at the tire diameter you simply take the sidewall x 2 and add the wheel diameter:

110.25 X 2 =220.5 mm
20 X 25.4=508 mm (25.4mm per inch)
220.5 + 508=728.5 mm (diameter)
728.5 / 25.4=28.681 inches diameter

As long as your tire diameter is close to 28.681 inches there will be no issues. Technically the vehicle is sensitive to the circumference of the tire which determines how vehicle speed is calculated to arrive at the number of revolutions per mile. Probably more than you wanted to know.

 

[Lexi]

Yup, 225/65/17 on a 17x8 ET30 wheel. The slightly extra width makes up for less offset. Stick out juuuust a bit; enough that I later installed small mud flaps.

For winter snow tires, less width is better. More width allows the vehicle to stay up on the snow pack and not cut down into it for more bite/traction.

 

[bbf2530]

Were very happy with our 22 corsair. It has the 20" rims with 245/45 R20 tires. Considering a set of winter tires and my mechanic suggested getting rims too as 20's are expensive to swap out semi annually.

Tire rack has options starting with a 225 r17 and 235r18. Id rather not get another set of 245 R20's. Do we need to change the settings to run a 225 or 235 tire size if im replacing all 4?

He was unsure if the lincoln can accept different tire sizes from stock without causing error messages.

Thanks!

Chris

Hi Chris and welcome to the Lincoln Forums.

In addition to the good information others have provided, you can determine the overall tire diameter of various replacement sizes by using a Tire Size Calculator like this one: Discount Tire | Tires and Wheels for Sale | Online & In-Person

You can find other calculators by Googling “Tire size calculators”.

In addition to the tire diameter, there are many other variables which need to be considered when purchasing new wheels and tires. A new wheel which is a different size spec than the factory/stock wheels will need to be a proper diameter, width, offset, lug spacing, centerbore etc.

Then the tire tread width and sidewall ratio will need to be the proper specs to keep the overall fit within necessary parameters. Otherwise reprogramming if the vehicle may/will be necessary.

There will be no “error messages” if all four wheels and tires are replaced, as long as all four new ones are the same specs. However, the speedometer and odometer readings can be off (possibly by a significant amount), if the overall tire diameter is not close enough to the factory size. That is where the Tire Size Calculator comes in handy.

Visit “The Tire Rack” website again and take a look through their knowledge base and FAQ’s about buying new wheels and tires. Or even give them a call and speak with another one of their tire experts. https://www.tirerack.com/

In addition…you should be safe with The Tire Rack recommended winter wheel/tire combinations offered. They are good at what they do. But double checking never hurts.

I’m sure others will also jump in to help, so keep us updated and good luck.

______________________________

 

[MattMacMan]

Yup, 225/65/17 on a 17x8 ET30 wheel. The slightly extra width makes up for less offset. Stick out juuuust a bit; enough that I later installed small mud flaps.

For winter snow tires, less width is better. More width allows the vehicle to stay up on the snow pack and not cut down into it for more bite/traction.

I LOVE the Michelin CrossClimate 2! I have them on my Nautilus. Best tires out there full stop!

 

[MORSNO]

I LOVE the Michelin CrossClimate 2! I have them on my Nautilus. Best tires out there full stop!

And they are only $2.00 more a tire than my factory tires in the factory size on Tire Rack. They are the top-rated tire!

 

[bbf2530]

And they are only $2.00 more a tire than my factory tires in the factory size on Tire Rack. They are the top-rated tire!

Hi MORSNO. You probably already know this, but…If you are seriously thinking about getting new, dedicated snow tires and winter wheels, think about going a size or two narrower in width.

A simplified explanation: As others mentioned above, a narrower tire is more efficient in deep snow, allowing it to sink in and bite into the hard pack underneath.

The wider a tire is, the more there is a “snowshoe effect” of the tire floating more, therefore not being able to sink in, and bite into the hard pack underneath.

The Tire Rack has a good knowledge base on how to buy snow tires. Or simply Google “How to buy snow tires”, “Wider or narrower for snow tires”. or similar phrases.

And of course, look for professionally sourced information, not random, anonymous Reddit opinion posts.

And I agree with MattMacMan that the Michelin CrossClimate2 is an excellent tire.

If you are buying winter tires, let us know how you make out and good luck.