I just suctioned out the power steering fluid from my 1998 Forester with one of those turkey baster type devices. I poured in some Prestone Power Steering fluid. After that I noticed the cap says to use ATF Dexron. I had always thought power steering fluid is power steering fluid.

 

Anyway, is it alright to use the Prestone Power Steering Fluid? Or should I suction it out and replace with the ATF Dexron?

you should replace it. think of how many failed power steering systems are a result of wrong fluid.

 

japanese vehicles-ATF

 

Ford(truck)-Type F

 

GM- clear stuff you are used to

Pretty sure my old Ford Ranger says to use Mercon.

GM uses Dexron in everything.

 

Eiteher way, read the bottle and see if the fluid meets Dexron III spec. If it says it meets Dexron specification, it's fine. If not then flush it out with a couple quarts of fresh fluid.

I suctioned it out and put in ATF Dexron. Will be getting a new quart of ATF to flush it out again later today.

Power steering fluid used to be the same in everything, but not any more. Some cars are getting very exotic in what they need,

Good to hear you changed it back to atf. You're not the first one to make that mistake so don't feel bad.