Whirlpool WTW5500XW Owners Manual - Page 4

CONTROL PANEL AND FEATURES 1 2 4 5 3 1 WASH CYCLE KNOB Use the Wash Cycle knob to select available cycles on your washer. Turn the knob to select a cycle for your laundry load. See "Cycle Guide" for detailed descriptions of cycles. 2 CYCLE OPTIONS When you select a cycle, its default settings will light up. Not all cycles and options are available on all models. TEMP Temperature Control senses and maintains uniform water temperatures by regulating incoming hot and cold water. Select a wash temperature based on the type of fabric and soils being washed. For best results and following the garment label instructions, use the warmest wash water safe for your fabric. • Warm and hot water may be cooler than what your previous washer provided. • Even in a Cool water wash, some warm water may be added to the washer to maintain a minimum temperature. SOIL LEVEL Soil level (wash time) is preset for each wash cycle. For most loads, use the soil level that is preset with the cycle you have chosen. For heavily soiled and sturdy fabrics, press Soil Level to select more wash time, if needed. For lightly soiled and delicate fabrics, press Soil Level to select less wash time, if needed. Lighter soil level setting will help reduce tangling and wrinkling. SPIN SPEED This washer automatically selects the spin speed based on the cycle selected. The preset speeds can be changed. Not all spin speeds are available with all cycles. • Faster spin speeds mean shorter dry times, but may increase wrinkling in your load. • Slower spin speeds mean less wrinkling, but will leave your load more damp. You may also add or remove options for each cycle. Not all options can be used with all cycles, and some are preset to work with certain cycles. 3 EXTRA RINSE This option can be used to automatically add a second rinse to most cycles. 4 FABRIC SOFTENER This option must be selected if using fabric softener during a cycle. It ensures that fabric softener is added at the correct time in the rinse for even distribution. 4 5 CYCLE STATUS LIGHTS INDICATOR The Cycle Status Lights show the progress of a cycle. At each stage of the process, you may notice sounds or pauses that are different from traditional washers. SENSING When the Start/Pause/Unlock button is pressed, the washer will first perform a self-test on the lid lock mechanism. You will hear a click, the basket will make a slight turn, then lid will unlock briefly before locking again. Once the lid has locked the second time, the washer will use short, slow spins to estimate the load size. These sensing spins may take 2 to 3 minutes before water is added to the load and you may hear the hum of these spins. If the sensing light is on, the washer is working properly. You will hear the motor turn the basket in short pulses to thoroughly wet the load. The washer will then move the load briefly, pause to allow water to soak into the load, and resume adding water. This process may repeat until the correct amount of water has been added for the load. You may also hear water flowing through the dispenser, adding detergent to the load. NOTE: Avoid opening the lid during sensing. The sensing process will start over when the washer is restarted. The sensing light may also come on during the Wash portion of the cycle. This is normal. WASH You will hear the motor and washplate moving the load. Unlike traditional washers, the load is not covered with water. Low-water cleaning means concentrated cleaning. Rather than diluting detergent as done in an agitator-style washer, this washer delivers the detergent directly to the soils. The motor sounds may change at different stages in the cycle. The wash time is determined by the selected soil level. RINSE You will hear sounds similar to the wash cycle as the washer rinses and moves the load. You may hear the motor turning on briefly (short hum) to move the basket while filling. Fabric softener will be added if the Fabric Softener option was selected. Some cycles use spray rinsing.