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Petlas Snow Master W651

The Petlas Snow Master W651 is an economy touring winter tire with a very specialized character: it can be impressively capable in snow for the money, but it struggles badly on wet roads. Drivers often praise confident traction in deep or frequent snow and generally acceptable comfort, while independent tests repeatedly show class-leading snow ability. However, both user feedback and professional results flag weak wet grip and long wet braking distances, which heavily undermine all-round winter safety.

The quick answer

Owners say 71% from 29 owner reviews 57% would buy again Read the reviews
Tests say 38th average finish across 6 independent tests Latest: P33 of 54 · 2023 See every test
Strengths & weaknesses Value, Snow Dry, Comfort Relative to its rivals across every test we hold

Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tire - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated October 2026.

  • 29owner reviews
  • 274,939miles driven
  • 6professional tests

Tire Reviews Score

Petlas Snow Master W651

3.5/10

Better than 12% of winter tires

  • Medium Confidence
  • 5 tests
  • 29 owner reviews
Scores of the 278 winter tires we have tested

How this score is built

Source Better than Weight
Independent tests5 tests · 2 publications · 2020-2023 10% 89%
Owner reviews29 owner reviews · rated 71% 29% 11%
Combined 12% 3.5

A fixed curve turns the combined figure into the 0 to 10 score, so roughly the top 10% of a group score 9 or more.

Category by category

How it compares with other winter tires in each area, and how much each area counts. 50 is the middle of the group.

Category Better than Weight Tests
WetBraking, handling and aquaplaning in the wet 5% 30% 5
SnowBraking, traction and handling on snow 98% 23% 1
IceBraking, traction and handling on ice Not tested, counted as average 18% –
DryBraking and handling on dry roads 2% 17% 1
ValueWear, efficiency and cost 99% 6% 1
ComfortNoise and ride comfort 1% 5% 1

Weights are shares of the test result. Owner reviews are blended in afterwards. Faded bars rest on one or two tests.

By discipline

The same results grouped by what the tire was doing. They are not counted a second time.

TractionEvery traction test, on any surface 94% 1
BrakingEvery braking test, on any surface 15% 5
HandlingEvery handling test, on any surface 1% 1

Confidence

  1. Limited
  2. Medium
  3. High

Its own test results decide 84% of the test figure. The other 16% is the average for its group, and it shrinks as more tests arrive.

High needs at least 3 tests, with its own results deciding 90% or more. Medium needs 2 tests and 70%. Anything less is Limited: expect the number to move as tests arrive.

The tests behind it

Only measured results count. A test that published its placings alone is listed, but not scored.

  1. 2023 2023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking Test Auto Bild · 225/45 R18 P33 / 54
  2. 2022 2022 Winter Tire Market Overview Auto Bild · 215/55 R17 P47 / 56
  3. 2022 2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test Tire Reviews · 225/45 R17 P9 / 9
  4. 2021 2021 Winter Tire Market Overview Auto Bild · 205/55 R16 P50 / 50
  5. 2020 2020 Winter Tire Market Overview - 52 Tire Braking Test Auto Bild · 245/45 R18 P51 / 51
  6. 2016 2016 Winter Tire Market Overview Auto Bild · 205/55 R16 P39 / 49 Placing only

Tested 6 times by independent publications, the Petlas Snow Master W651 averages a finish of 38th.

6 Tests
0 Test Wins
38th Average
9th Best
51st Worst
Finishing position in each test1stLast20162023

Finishing position in each test

Every independent test of the Petlas Snow Master W651, newest first
YearTestResultAward
20232023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking TestAuto Bild · 225/45 R18P33 / 54
20222022 Winter Tire Market OverviewAuto Bild · 215/55 R17P47 / 56
20222022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire TestTire Reviews · 225/45 R17P9 / 9Tested by Tire Reviews
20212021 Winter Tire Market OverviewAuto Bild · 205/55 R16P50 / 50
20202020 Winter Tire Market Overview - 52 Tire Braking TestAuto Bild · 245/45 R18P51 / 51
20162016 Winter Tire Market OverviewAuto Bild · 205/55 R16P39 / 49

On the full record: Record by disciplineHead-to-head recordEvery published verdict

Videos

The BEST 10 Winter Tires for 2022/23 Tested and Rated!

The BEST 10 Winter Tires for 2022/23 Tested and Rated!

Dimensions & Label Scores
View All

Size Range68 sizes available

185-255Width40-65Profile14-19Rim80-109 T-VLoad/Speed Index2014First On Market

EU LabelAcross 68 sizes - the grade depends on the size you buy.

Noise

70-73dB A/B

3PMSF on every size

Frequently Asked Questions
How good is the Petlas Snow Master W651 in the wet?
Across the 5 wet-braking tests it has featured in, the Petlas Snow Master W651 stops 24.8% longer than premium rivals, 16.3% longer than mid-range rivals and 6.4% longer than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews wet score of 5/100, and owners rate it 6.5/10 in the wet from 29 reviews.
How good is the Petlas Snow Master W651 in the dry?
Across the 1 dry-braking test it has featured in, the Petlas Snow Master W651 stops 3.4% longer than premium rivals and 4.8% longer than mid-range rivals. It has a Tire Reviews dry score of 2/100, and owners rate it 7.5/10 in the dry from 29 reviews.
How good is the Petlas Snow Master W651 in the snow?
Across the 1 snow-braking test it has featured in, the Petlas Snow Master W651 stops 3% shorter than premium rivals and 2.1% shorter than mid-range rivals. Across the 1 snow-traction test, it is 7.1% better than premium rivals and 9% better than mid-range rivals. It has a Tire Reviews snow score of 98/100, and owners rate it 8.1/10 in the snow from 29 reviews.
How fuel efficient is the Petlas Snow Master W651?
Across the 1 test measuring rolling resistance, the Petlas Snow Master W651's rolling resistance is 22.5% lower than premium rivals and 23.3% lower than mid-range rivals.
How many miles does the Petlas Snow Master W651 last?
Based on test and owner data, the Petlas Snow Master W651 is expected to last around 17,690 miles (28,469 km).
More questions about the Petlas Snow Master W651 (8)
What do owners say about the Petlas Snow Master W651?
Across 29 owner ratings the Petlas Snow Master W651 averages 71%. Owners rate Wear highest at 8.6 out of 10 and Ice Grip lowest at 6.4. 8 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 61% of owners score it 70% or better.
What is the Petlas Snow Master W651's EU tire label rating?
Across its range, the Petlas Snow Master W651 most commonly carries EU label ratings of B for fuel efficiency, C for wet grip and 70 dB for noise.
How comfortable and quiet are the Petlas Snow Master W651?
Owners rate the Petlas Snow Master W651 7.2 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 23 reviews.
How well do the Petlas Snow Master W651 wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Petlas Snow Master W651 8.6 out of 10 for wear across 23 reviews. 8 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 6,000 miles.
Would owners buy the Petlas Snow Master W651 again?
57% of owners say they would buy the Petlas Snow Master W651 again, based on the 28 owner reviews that answered the question. 46% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What do owners say about the Petlas Snow Master W651's snow traction?
Of the 21 owner reviews analyzed for the Petlas Snow Master W651, 16 mention snow traction: 16 praise it (strong snow traction) and 0 criticise it (weak snow traction). One owner wrote: "holds very well on snowy ground". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Petlas Snow Master W651's wet grip?
Of the 21 owner reviews analyzed for the Petlas Snow Master W651, 8 mention wet grip: 0 praise it (confident wet grip) and 8 criticise it (weak wet grip). One owner wrote: "Terrible at wet/rain conditions". Read those reviews
What sizes does the Petlas Snow Master W651 come in?
The Petlas Snow Master W651 is available in 77 sizes, ranging from 185-255/40-65 R14-19.
Owner Questions
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Questions and Answers for the Petlas Snow Master W651

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Petlas Snow Master W651 Owner Reviews

Review this tire

What owners say summarised from 23 reviews

Drivers of the Petlas Snow Master W651 report strong snow traction and good comfort for the price, with several high-scoring reviews praising grip in heavy snow and acceptable dry performance. However, many mid and low scores cite weak wet/icy grip and longer braking, with a few calling it dangerous in rain. Wear/longevity receives occasional praise, and noise/comfort are generally acceptable. Overall, it is a budget-friendly winter tire that excels in snow but is below average on wet and ice.

What owners mention most counted across 21 reviews

Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.

Owner ratings averaged from 29 ratings

  • Owner score 71%
  • Wear 86%
  • Snow Grip 81%
  • Dry Grip 75%
  • Comfort 72%
  • Handling 68%
  • Wet Grip 65%
  • Road Feedback 64%
  • Ice Grip 64%

Featured reviews

Most helpful 98%

“I used this tire on my peugeot 308 in size 225/45/17. In the city where I live, I generally drive in snow and winter conditions above average. For this reason, I should mention that I use my vehicle in heavy winter...”

  • Peugeot 308 1.6 e HDI
  • 13,000 miles
Read full review → 929 found this helpful
Most critical 33%

“It was a big mistake buying these tires. I wanted to buy something better for this winter, but I realized that my new rims have extra stupid rare sizes, this is why I had to chose Petlas Snowmaster. It is just November...”

  • Opel Corsa
Read full review → 704 found this helpful
Longest term 76%

“Ideal price/performance winter tire for those with a passive driving style. Good grip in cold/snow conditions, wearability very good. No reasons to look for more expensive tires when you do not expect top-performance”

  • Subaru Forester
  • 30,000 miles
Read full review → 536 found this helpful

All 23 Petlas Snow Master W651 reviews

Score spread across 23 written reviews
20%
Member
I do not recommend purchasing these tires, I use them for 5 days in the rain at 3 degrees and it effectively gives me the feeling in curves that I will go forward.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 3
  • Wet Grip 1
  • Road Feedback 1
  • Handling 2
  • Comfort 5
  • Buy again 1
  • Snow Grip 2
  • Ice Grip 1
Helpful 945
98%
Member
I used this tire on my peugeot 308 in size 225/45/17. In the city where I live, I generally drive in snow and winter conditions above average. For this reason, I should mention that I use my vehicle in heavy winter traffic and in a city with a population of 6 million people. The rubber is quite good and satisfactory on snowy ground. It is also enough on dry ground. Comfort is at a very good level compared to winter tires.On icy ground and wet ground, the driving function can remain average. Considering these advantages, the price is quite cheap.I hope my comments will be useful in choosing tires.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 9
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 10
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
  • Snow Grip 10
  • Ice Grip 9
Helpful 929
93%
Member
  • Ford Focus
  • 205/55 R16
  • 20,000 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Spirited
I used this tire in my ford focus 1.6 ti-vct with a size of 205/55R16. First of all, I must say that the town where I live has very severe winter conditions. The most important plus of the tire is that it holds very well on snowy ground and is quite satisfactory in this sense. Driving dynamics on dry ground is also at a sufficient level. Comfort is at a very good level compared to winter tires.I think the driving dynamics are poor on icy ground and wet ground. But in general, I can say that it does a great job for its price and is a real f/p product. Finally, I think the pattern of the tire is great.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 10
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
  • Snow Grip 10
  • Ice Grip 7
Helpful 820

Which tires do you drive?

Researching the Petlas Snow Master W651? Rate the tires you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.

Own the Petlas Snow Master W651?
57%
Member
Worst winter tires. I buy set of 4 and replaced Fulda, bcoz I find them at very good price. On deep, heavy snow Petlas is very good, like on dry road. On wet is so bad, no grip, very hard to control and braking is just disaster! After a one season I replace that tires.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 4
  • Road Feedback 5
  • Handling 5
  • Wear 9
  • Comfort 5
  • Buy again 1
  • Snow Grip 8
  • Ice Grip 5
Helpful 881
71%
Member
  • BMW 320i
  • 225/50 R17
  • 10,000 miles
  • Mostly Town
  • Average
I never considered buying Petlas on my F30 320i. I got the tires when I bought the car. My Tire shop had a guy who worked at the factory for about 10 years. He said that "their winter tires are much better than summer tires due to competition". Than I have a shot. I live in Ankara where there are fierce snow later it turns to ice if it is cleared fast or it is usually below zero for most of the winter during nights. When sun melted ice and roads became muddy, my car had to use ESP but never lost control. There were some side roads at METU campus, the tires never failed me on snow and maybe on mild ice. I was excepting my car to spin all the time after heavy snow. My tires were in good condition dated 2018. I was more confident on Petlas Snowmaster than on my Driverguard RFT 2019 (I changed those). If you can't decide, don't hesitate, these tires does the job.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 6
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 6
  • Snow Grip 8
  • Ice Grip 7
Helpful 868
48%
Member
Terrible at wet/rain conditions. Dry handling and dry grip is not bad. Also snow performance is not so bad. Wear resistance is perfect, after 35.000 km there were 6.5 mm tread depth.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 2
  • Road Feedback 2
  • Handling 5
  • Wear 10
  • Comfort 5
  • Buy again 1
  • Snow Grip 7
  • Ice Grip 4
Helpful 972
53%
Member
  • Ford Cmax
  • 205/55 R16
  • 10,000 miles
  • Mostly Country Roads
  • Average
Acceptable on dry roads. Very dangerous on wet. Worst tire ever driven.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 2
  • Road Feedback 6
  • Handling 6
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 5
  • Buy again 1
  • Snow Grip 7
Helpful 892
96%
Member
  • BMW 118d
  • 205/55 R16
  • 14,000 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Average
Bought these because i was very happy with summer tires from the same manufacturer, and again was happily suprised by the quality of them. Before them i had continental wintercontact ts 860 and comparing them i can see no difference except the petlas tires wear far less and drive better in the snow and cold dry wether. However in the rain the continentals were a little better but not by so much to urge me to spend more money on them ever again. Great tire cant recommend them enough.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 9
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 10
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
  • Snow Grip 10
  • Ice Grip 9
Helpful 924
66%
Member
- Made in Turkey
- Great in heavy snowy roads
- Good grip in dry conditions
- Average in pure icy and wet roads, getting understeer when pushing the limits (It may be caused by lousy suspension of my Leon FR, I can't compare in another car)
- Road noise is acceptable but not great, at 70-80 km/h there is a resonance sound. But at slower or faster speeds it goes away.
- They are more comfortable than my summer tires (pirelli p7)

I think considering how cheap they are, the performance is acceptable. But for my next set I will definitely consider a premium class tire.

Regards from Turkey
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 4
  • Road Feedback 6
  • Handling 6
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 6
  • Snow Grip 9
  • Ice Grip 5
Helpful 1,029
100%
Member
There was Continental on my car and at first I hesitated too much about petlas/starmaxx. But it is half price of famous labels, and Ithink it is worth to try. It is very comfortable,silent and grips very well. There is no need to give to much money. The accuracy of tire tests are controversial. Who pays more, win the test. I highly recommend.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 10
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 731
90%
Member
Last winter I used on my Megane4 HB. Tried them on snowy/icy mountain roads and had never problem about gripping. I can prefer these tires.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 9
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 719
33%
Member
It was a big mistake buying these tires. I wanted to buy something better for this winter, but I realized that my new rims have extra stupid rare sizes, this is why I had to chose Petlas Snowmaster. It is just November, I haven't tried in snow yet, but in 0-5 degrees on slippy roads is a disaster to drive. I am really afraid to face the winter with these tires.
I do not recommend to anybody to buy these tires, they are very dangerous!
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 2
  • Road Feedback 4
  • Handling 3
  • Comfort 3
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 704
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