Engine Hydrolocking in Shallow Water Depth

I thought that would be already known by this time, since GTA launched 4 years ago XD

Which vehicle were you using? And which trail were you on?

MOC is supposed to have a LOT of water intake resistance, almost as if it had a snorkel like the Half-Track. 

Water physics in GTA V tend to be completely fine (go grille-deep and you're done for, reduced speed, etc.)
So imma guess that the physics tend to "choke" at times and decide to hydrolock your motor as long as you're on water.

However it could be that it is easier to hydrolock a vehicle that has already been through a lot. Despite damage in GTA being a "damage model", at the core code of it "hitpoint" system is still being used (thanks to certain trainers and menus I've worked with, I noticed such) for Engine, Body, and Fuel tank respectively and separately. Engine is probably the health/hitpoint value that is being tweaked during water cruises in land vehicles, excluding water puddles formed by rainy weather. Fuel tank health value usually correlates to Engine health value, although it shouldnt matter in Online mode as fuel can only leak from a car in Storymode, and the vehicle is subject to explosion if Fuel tank health value is critical or zero. Body health value cannot be the case as well, as it only gets reduced by gashes or collisions and dents. 

In short, water resistance in land vehicles is weakened based on prior damage via collision or combat in said vehicle, or is at least safe to assume.

In any case, is it better to go through shallow water fast or slowly?

P.S. It really is "bigger they are harder they fall" for offroading vehicles in GTA. Cheap ones like the Rebel, Sandking, or any SUV for that matter have relatively cheap insurance when they break, but for Trophy Trucks, Insurgents and Nightsharks, it can get pricey, and for the Pegasus offroaders (June and Marshall/Liberator), the replacement vehicle is miles away from you. 

Well, if it is indeed a simple bug, that is quite an annoying bug at times. Similar to the bug where if I opened any door on my vehicle via the remote control in the Interaction menu, chances are it would be significantly slower as if my doors have been torn off (and yes if your vehicle doors have been actually torn off, it jeopardizes overall performance).

And that is why I use cheap vehicles for offroading (preferrably my Baller LE) as in the event that this bs happens, I only have to spend 2k or less in insurance costs, as opposed to using my Insurgent Custom which is a hefty 20k if it breaks under my control. 

Sandking is too common and cliché. Matter of fact I just acquired a Merryweather Mesa for the purpose, a bit cheaper insurance and better ground clearance than the Baller, but it suffers in raw engine power (if only it would stay in first gear 😤). Yes, the sandking goes anywhere, but that kinda takes out the fun of offroading, doesnt it? And also seeing my Mesa's coilover suspension move during rocky trailing is oddly satisfying 😂 and I believe it has larger offroad radials than the King when stock tyres are equipped.

Yeah, its unstable when going relatively fast, and it is absolute dogshit on asphalt. But its still fine when trailing slowly. 

Tell you what, how about we do some trailing sometime? I'd like to get my Jeep dirty