If you take car maintenance and repair seriously, then you may want to avert your eyes from a post from this driver. TikTok user Alyssa published a viral clip that shows her holding one of her vehicle’s brake pads. Or rather, what’s left of it. In a video that’s horrified throngs of people on the popular social media platform, visible damage is displayed to the pad.

A cracked shard has been separated from the brake pad. And when Alyssa (@alyssa_m35) holds it up to the camera, it appears to be paper thin. She offers up some commentary on her brake’s sorry condition in a text overlay appended to the clip. “My literal brake pad — I’m just a girl,” she says. Additionally, she added “whoops” to the video’s caption, discounting the safety risks associated with such a sorry looking brake part.

Commenters who viewed her clip were aghast. One user on the app quipped: “Break pads aren’t real don’t worry!! (my dad takes care of my car).”

Another remarked: “Girl that’s a brake panty liner.”

Someone else expressed morbid curiosity as to what Alyssa’s braking habits were like. “How many miles did it take you to stop,” they asked.

Whereas this user was befuddled by her ability to ignore what was most certainly an unpleasant commuting experience. “Girl… did you not hear the diabolical screeching of metal on mental whilst driving?”

How often should you swap out brakes?

It’s no secret that brakes are one of the most critical components of a vehicle. If a car is unable to effectively stop itself, then it presents a significant road hazard to other drivers. As per Performance Honda, when a driver replaces the pads on their vehicles is largely contingent upon their braking habits.

If commuters are constantly slamming on their brakes in staccato motions, then that’ll prematurely wear down their brakes. Conversely, let’s say you’re prone to easing up on your brakes and gradually coming to a stop. This will inevitably lead to your brakes lasting longer.

The auto parts store writes that harsh brakers should expect to replace their pads every 25,000 miles. On the other hand, those who are more responsible with their braking can further their lifespan up to 70,000 miles. Performance Honda urges folks to look for “visible wear and tear” on their brake pads. According to the auto parts company, “if you see that the pads are less than a quarter-inch thick” you should replace them.

Screeching: Not always bad

Another indicator that it’s time to get new brakes is audible squealing or a shrill noise echoing from your wheels. Performance Honda says that this can occur after a new installation. Which more than likely means that the pads rotors “are glazed.” The business states that this is a consequence of “excessive braking that causes metal to heat up and burn.”

But if you’ve got pads with “blue marks or a dark ring on your rotors” then that could mean it’s about time for a fresh installation. Vibrational feedback in the brake pedal can also mean that the pads are shot, along with a slow stopping response. Grinding, and brake fluid pooling in puddles beneath that car could mean ones brakes aren’t functioning properly.

Drivers on the Bob is the Oil Guy forum writes that drivers shouldn’t be so concerned with rotors and exchange them as necessary. For the most part, they believe that every 60,000 miles or so is around the right time to replace pads. However, 20% of polled forum users said that rotors might as well be swapped at these same intervals.

Other brake replacement indicators

Bridgestone Tire writes that when brake pads aren’t replaced in time, this friction culminates in palpable damage. One that exposes its steel backing plate, which is what appears to have happened in Alyssa’s video. Nu Brakes and Bridgestone also echoed Performance Honda’s statements regarding “squeaking or squealing” from brakes informing drivers their pads are going kaput.

The most glaring consequence of driving on pad brakes is a significantly delayed stopping response time, Nu Brakes states. And in the event of attempting to avoid an accident, every second counts. Additionally, some vehicles can display brake pad indicator lights, alerting drivers to the state of their pads. And that it’s time to get newer ones placed on their vehicle.

Furthermore, Nu Brakes suggests drivers replace their brakes every 25,000 to 65,000 miles. “Rotors typically should be changed anywhere from 30,000 to 70,000 miles,” the business states. Again, as many have echoed online, “driving conditions and styles” play a pivotal role in when these service intervals should take place.

MotorBiscuit has reached out to Alyssa via TikTok comment to determine how she discovered her brake pads where in such wretched shape.