ATF Dexron as power steering fluid?

[Kilroy]

I was just refilling the power steering reservoir on my Legacy and noticed on the cap that it said to use ATF DEXRON fluid to fill. I looked at the bottle of power steering fluid that I was using (it was clear liquid) and it made no mention of Dexron and said that it was to be used with Ford, Chevy and Chrysler vehicles. Is there much difference between the Dexron and this power steering fluid other than the obvious red dye color? Should I suck out the fluid I have put in and fill with the Dexron?

[subiefan]

I had a bottle of that power steering fluid sitting around, too. This wasn't with my Subaru. Was actually my Ford Ranger. The fluid already in it was red...the stuff in the bottle was clear. I put the ATF in it instead. I'd do the same for your Subaru, especially if it says to use ATF. There's really no reason not to change it. Just get a cheap turkey baster or something to suck the old out with, then pour in new Dexron. Try not to drive the car so the clear stuff doesn't circulate through the system.

[Kilroy]

I was putting in a new power steering pump and I used the turkey baster to take the liquid out. I found some ATF in the garage and took out the power steering fluid that I had dumped in there. The new pump didn't fix the problem I thought it might, but at least it was all done correctly.

 

Now I have to find a place to pull my tranny, ramps aren't going to be high enough.

[msmithmmx]

No worries, I swapped out my powersteering pump and filled it back up with the house brand @ autozone. I have 9K miles on it with no problems. That stuff was clear as well. There was enough of the old red stuff in the lines to make it a red/clear mixture.