Hydrostatic lubrication uses an external pump to pressurize and force lubricant between surfaces, creating a full fluid film even before motion starts. This means there's essentially no metal-to-metal contact at startup, giving the lowest starting friction among all lubrication types. Hydrodynamic (B) relies on relative motion to build pressure, so starting friction is higher. Mixed (C) and boundary (D) lubrication both involve some surface contact at start.