Dipstick direction?

I just noticed today for the first time that when the oil level marks on the dipstick are pointing down toward the ground when the dipstick is inserted, the oil level on the stick is about 1/3-1/2 quart higher than when they are pointing up.

Has anyone else experienced this. Which way is it supposed to be?

 

Pics?

 

Sorry for the silly long time to reply. This actually isn’t as dramatic as what prompted me to start this thread, but it still shows it. Maybe about a 1/3rd quart difference?

Here’s with the etching on dipstick facing down (or toward front of car when inserted):



Facing up (or toward back of car when inserted:

 

Bro, that dipstick end is broken.

 

Man you better put that dipstick in the correct way then.

 

Yes, well when I posted the thread it was about 1/2 quart difference I know 1/2 quart isn’t a huge issue, but it prompted me to wonder if others saw this and which side is more correctly reflecting the oil level.

 

I do notice a difference it oil I have alway taken it from whichever is lowest just to be safe. But I do not know which way is correct

 

I have noticed on both my MS6 and my old Miata that the front and the back of the dipstick have a little variance for some weird reason. I'm not sure which is correct, I aim for the "high" one to be right at full, as that would place the low one just a little shy but well over the low line. If the low is correct it's still nowhere near actually being low, and if I'm checking and it falls below the L mark on the stick I'll add some more just in case.