Fisher & Paykel excellence GWL12 Mounting instructions

New Zealand Australia USA Canada Europe Asia Pacific
&
GWL12, GWM12, GWC12, MWC12
Installation instructions and
User guide
EN
Clothes Washer

2
Intelligence Working For You
70 years of laundry experience has led to the development of the world’s most advanced wash
system, the Smart Drive™.
Unlike conventional machines, Smart Drive™ autowashers use intelligence to adapt the wash
action and water levels to save on water and electricity use; making it kinder on your wallet and
the environment.
Intelligent Electronics
A powerful microprocessor controls every aspect of
the Smart Drive™, allowing it to continually monitor
and respond to each wash. It contains over 10,000
lines of instructions in its brain’ – the result of many
years of testing and fine-tuning, to give you the best
possible performance.
Direct Drive Motor
Our revolutionary direct drive motor is capable of
infinite wash actions, continuously adjusting its speed
to the movement of your clothes, removing dirt while
caring for the fabric, delivering the ultimate wash.
Reliability
The Smart Drive™ has no mechanical brake, pulleys or
gears, which means fewer moving parts and greater
reliability.
Saves Time
With a top spin speed of 1000rpm, Smart Drive™
reduces clothes drying time by up to 30%.
Energy Conservation
The unique wash action means a typical load uses
only the same amount of electricity as a 100-watt light
bulb left on for an hour.
Eco
Designed to make every drop count, using up to 25%
less water than the traditional Water Saver rinse.

3
EN
Contents
Installation Instructions 4
Specifications 8
Getting Started
Before You do Your First Wash 9
Using Your Excellence Washer 10
Using Your Pride Washer 12
Lidlock 14
Wash Cycles and Options
The Wash Cycle and Options 15
Selecting the Wash Options and Advancing the Cycle 16
Water Levels 17
Saving Water – Eco, Water Saver 18
Soak, Spin Hold, Delay Start 19
Washing Bulky Items, Washing Woollens 20
Favourite Cycle 21
Customising the Wash Cycle 22
Before You Wash
Sorting, Loading 23
Detergent 24
Fabric Softener, Scrud 25
Changing Pre-set Options
Option Adjustment Mode 26
Wash Temperatures, Rinse Options 28
Controlled Cold, End of Cycle Beeps, Water Saver, Auto Water Fill Level 29
Out of Balance Recovery Routine 30
Machine Information
Cleaning Your Smart Drive™ 31
Products That Might Damage Your Smart Drive™ 32
Smart Drive™ Sounds and Beeps, Automatic Lint System 32
Problem Solving
If Your Smart Drive™ Beeps for Help 33
Operating Problems 35
Wash Problems 36
Please Note:
All diagrams feature the EXCELLENCE button shape unless otherwise stated.
The use of the button is the same for all Smart Drive™ models.

4
Installation Instructions
Unpacking
To ensure the best performance from your new Smart Drive™ please follow the instructions below.
Removing the Packaging
1 Remove the outer packaging.
2 Tilt the machine backwards and walk it off the
bottom packer one foot at a time.
3 Remove the bottom packer from under the
machine by pulling it out the front.
4 Lift the lid and remove the bowl packer from
the bowl.
5 Remove the hoses and accessories.
6 Keep the bottom packer and bowl packer in
case they are required for future transit.
Please ensure that the bottom packer has been removed before operating your machine.
In your autowasher you will find:
■4 rubber inserts for the levelling feet (joined together).
■1 hose guide.
■White inlet hose.
Inlet Hose
1 Connect the straight ends of the white inlet hose to the tap. There are
washers fitted in both ends.
2 Connect the elbow end of the white inlet hose to the machine inlet
valve. Inlet valves are marked on the back of the machine
H=Hot C=Cold.
Cold Supply Only:
If you only have a cold water supply, an inlet valve cap (blanking cap)
MUST be connected to the hot inlet valve. The cap prevents water
leaking out of the hot valve.
If you select any of the warm or hot settings, the machine will come up
with a user alarm (refer to “If Your Smart Drive™ Beeps for Help”, page 33)
as there is no hot water to maintain the temperature you have selected.
Note:
The Smart Drive™ does not have an internal heater to heat the water.
Inlet valve cap
Machine end
Tap end

5
EN
Installation Instructions
Drain Hose
1 Carefully pull the black drain hose out from the back
of the machine by pulling the exposed part of the
hose downwards and outwards.
2 The drain hose can be:
■Connected to a standpipe.
■Connected to a tub.
■Connected to a floor drain using an antisyphon vent
pipe (not supplied).
When connecting the drain hose to a tub or
standpipe, use the hose guide, included in the
accessory kit, to guide the drain hose over the tub or
into the standpipe. The drain hose should not extend
more than 20mm from the end of the guide (this is to
prevent syphoning). If necessary the drain hose can
be trimmed to length.
When connecting to a floor drain we recommend
using an antisyphon vent pipe. This is a short
standpipe (400mm long and 40mm in diameter)
attached to the back of the machine.
A flexible hose connects it to the floor drain.
Note:
Use an adhesive to attach the vent pipe to the back
of the machine. Do not use screws as they may
damage internal parts.
Make sure the top of the vent pipe is level with the
drain hose outlet.
Syphoning may occur if the drain hose is positioned
too low or connected directly to a floor drain. This
may result in a user warning (refer page 33).
Drain hose connected
to a standpipe
Drain hose connected
to a floor drain using an
antisyphon vent pipe
Accessories and Spare Parts
Available from your Fisher & Paykel Dealer or Authorised Service Centre.
Hose Inlet Long (2m) Part No. 422680
Hose Inlet Large Bore Part No. 426123
Drain Hose Extension Part No. 425627p
Power Cord If the Power Cord of your autowasher is damaged it must be
replaced by a Fisher & Paykel Authorised Service Centre, as it
is not a standard power cord.
Vent pipe to
be level with
hose outlet
850 – 1200mm
400mm

6
Installation Instructions
Levelling
It is IMPORTANT to level the machine to
ensure even spin performance.
1 Separate the 4 rubber foot inserts from the
moulding and fit into the feet on the base of
the machine.
2 Move the machine to its final position.
(We suggest a minimum clearance of
20mm each side).
3 Adjust the feet so the machine is level and
cannot rock.
To Check if Your Machine is Level:
Look down on the wash bowl and make sure
it sits slightly forward of centre (see diagram).
Close the lid. Visually check that the lid fits
evenly on both sides.
If it does not look like the diagram in the middle, adjust one of the front feet slightly until it
matches. The diagram on the top and bottom are not correct.
4 Turn on the water and check all hose connections for leaks. Make sure there are no kinks in
the hose.
5 Uncoil power cord and plug into wall socket.
Lid Alignment
Lid
Lid
Lid
Topdeck
Topdeck
Topdeck
Wind left foot down
(out) to correct
Wind right foot down
(out) to correct
Adjustable feet
Rubber insert
Correct Incorrect
To check levelling look down on the wash bowl

7
EN
Installation Instructions
Earthing
Earthed Plugs
(Power cord with 3 pin plug)
Plug into a compatible 3 pin wall socket.
Non–Earthed Plugs
(Power cord with 2 pin plug and a separate earth wire)
This appliance MUST be earthed using the earth wire attached to the rear of the machine. The
exposed end of the earth wire must be in contact with an earth point eg in contact with an
earthing bar, metal water pipe.
Improper earthing of this machine can result in a risk of electric shock. Check with a qualified
electrician or serviceman if you are in doubt as to whether the machine is properly earthed.
(Refer to page 8).
Water Supply
■For best operating conditions your hot water should be approximately 65˚C. Your cold water
should not exceed 35˚C or your hot water exceed 75˚C. Temperatures above this may cause the
machine to fault or cause damage to the machine.
■If you have an uncontrolled water heating source (eg a wet back or solar heating system) you
should fit a Safe Valve. This will ensure the hot water temperature remains within safe limits.
Draining
■Regularly check that your standpipe or tub is free from lint or other obstructions, as this may
affect how your machine works.
■
In multi-storey apartments or any upper floor, the machine should be installed on a drained floor.
■Draining must comply with local by-laws.
Autowasher Safety
■This autowasher is not intended for use by young children or infirm persons without supervision.
■Connection to the water mains must be with new hoses and the old hoses must be discarded.
■Your Smart Drive™ can be opened while it is filling and agitating, supervise young children to
ensure they do not play with it.
CAUTION!
If you are using an extension cord or a portable electrical outlet device (eg multi-socket outlet
box), ensure that it is positioned so that it does not come into contact with water or moisture.

8
Installation Instructions
Specifications
(Please note these are approximate figures for High water levels.)
Water Consumption
Total Water Consumption for the Different Rinse Options
Model Water Saver
(excellence models) Eco Option Spray &
Deep Rinse
1 Deep
Rinse
2 Deep
Rinses
GWL12 150 L 105 L 180 L 155 L 205 L
GWM12 130 L 90 L 165 L 140 L 185 L
GWC12 110 L 76.5 L 145 L 120 L 155 L
MWC12 – 76.5 L 145 L 120 L 155 L
Inlet water pressure
Max 1MPa (150 psi)
Min 34kPa ( 5 psi)
1020–1050mm
Height to top of console
Large 650mm
Medium 600mm
Compact 560mm
Height with Lid Open
Large 1410–1440mm
Medium 1360–1390mm
Compact 1320–1350mm
Large 650mm
Medium 600mm
Compact 560mm
Cold
Minimum height of taps
to clear the top of machine
1150mm
850–1200mm
Standpipe

9
EN
Thank you for buying a Fisher & Paykel Smart Drive™ washing machine. We are very proud of this
washer and trust it will serve you well for many years.
At Fisher & Paykel we aim to provide innovative products that are simple to use, ergonomic and
energy efficient. Thousands of tonnes of washing and 70 years of laundry experience have been
programmed into your washing machine to help give you the best possible performance.
We hope you enjoy your new washing machine,
we have certainly enjoyed designing it.
Before You Do Your First Wash
You owe it to yourself and your Smart Drive™ to have it installed correctly by an authorised
service agent.
Before you start, it is a good idea to go through the following checklist:
1 Has the basepacker been removed?
2 Are all valves either connected to an inlet hose or blanking cap? Is the cold hose connected to
the cold valve marked ‘C’?
3 Is the drain hose threaded through the ‘U bend‘ (with no more than 20mm extended) and on to
your standpipe?
4 Are the rubber inserts secured into the feet on the base of your machine and is the machine
levelled?
Refer to Installation Instructions, page 4.
If you have bought a Pride model it is a good idea to check the warm fill temperature. (Refer to
page 28).

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Using Your Excellence Washer
■Remove fabric softener dispenser.
■Place the load evenly around the agitator. (Refer to Sorting and Loading page 23).
A. Detergent
■Use the mark on the agitator, nearest to the top
of the clothes, as a guide to the correct amount
of detergent to use.
■Pour the detergent down the centre of the
agitator stem. Replace the fabric softener
dispenser (this stops small articles falling down
the centre of the agitator). (Refer to Detergent
page 24).
B. Fabric Softener
■If you wish to use fabric softener, place it in the
dispenser on the top of the agitator.
■Fabric softener must not be used if you have
selected the Water Saver or Eco option.
(Refer to Fabric Softener page 25).
D
C

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EN
F
E
C. Power Button
■Press POWER to turn the machine on.
D. Select Wash Cycle
■Press the desired wash cycle button.
E. Wash Options
■Select the WASH TEMPERATURE and other wash options.
F. Start
■Press START/PAUSE to start the machine.
If You Wish to Stop Your Smart Drive™ During the Cycle
■Press START/PAUSE
■If it is during spray rinse or spin there is a slight delay while the bowl is coasted to a stop and the
lid is unlocked.
For best fabric and colour care remove your clothes as soon as the cycle has finished.

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Using Your Pride Washer
■Remove fabric softener dispenser.
■Place the load evenly around the agitator. (Refer to Sorting and Loading page 23).
A. Detergent
■Use the mark on the agitator, nearest to the top
of the clothes, as a guide to the correct amount
of detergent to use.
■Pour the detergent down the centre of the
agitator stem. Replace the fabric softener
dispenser (this stops small articles falling down
the centre of the agitator). (Refer to Detergent
page 24).
D
C
B. Fabric Softener
■If you wish to use fabric softener, place it in the
dispenser on the top of the agitator.
■Fabric softener must not be used if you have
selected the Eco option.
(Refer to Fabric Softener page 25).

13
EN
E
F
C. Power Button
■Press POWER to turn the machine on.
D. Select Wash Cycle
■Select the cycle you want by pressing the Cycle Button located below the Regular option. Scroll
through the cycles until the one you want is lit.
E. Wash Options
■Select the WASH TEMPERATURE and other wash options.
F. Start
■Press START/PAUSE to start the machine.
If You Wish to Stop Your Smart Drive™ During the Cycle
■Press START/PAUSE
■If it is during spray rinse or spin there is a slight delay while the bowl is coasted to a stop and the
lid is unlocked.
For best fabric and colour care remove your clothes as soon as the cycle has finished.

14
Lidlock
Your Smart Drive™ has a lidlock, which locks when your
machine is spinning. This ensures the lid cannot be
opened during hazardous parts of the cycle, providing
added safety for you and your family.
The lidlock light (above the START/PAUSE button) comes
on when the lid is locked to tell you when you cannot
open the lid. In short it means you can open the lid while
your Smart Drive™ is filling, agitating, and draining, but not
while it is spinning.
■When the Lidlock light is on, the lid is locked.
■When the Lidlock light is off, the lid is not locked and the lid can be opened.
■If the Lidlock light is flashing the Lidlock is in the process of locking or unlocking, (i.e. while the
machine coasts down or START/PAUSE has been pressed). During this stage the lid still cannot
be lifted.
If the lid is left open, the machine will be unable to lock and the cycle will be halted.
The machine will play a tune and the lidlock light will flash until the lid is closed and
START/PAUSE is pressed.
The lidlock remains unlocked for the majority of the cycle allowing you to add clothes, dissolve
detergent or to add fabric softener (if you do not want to use the Automatic Fabric Softener
Dispenser).
The chart below shows the stages when the lid is locked.
Fill Unlocked
Agitate Unlocked
Spray Rinse Locked
Deep Rinse Unlocked
Spin Locked
Keep children away from the machine, especially when you are using hot water, as the lid can be
opened during fill and agitate.
DO NOT put anything down the slot in the top deck of your machine.
DO NOT try to disable the lidlock.

15
EN
The Wash Cycles
*Approximate times (minutes) for a high water level load on EXCELLENCE models.
Cycle times are dependent on your household water pressure.
Model Variations
EXCELLENCE models - Fully featured, with all 5 wash cycles and a favourite cycle.
PRIDE models - Regular, Heavy Duty, Delicate and Wool cycles.
■
Regular cycle (with the Eco option) has been designed for normally soiled, everyday washing
eg sheets, towels, T-shirts.
■
Heavy Duty cycle is for heavily soiled durable garments eg overalls, jeans, tea towels.
■
Delicate cycle uses a slow, gentle agitation designed to care for your most delicate garments
eg lingerie, blouses.
■
Permanent Press cycle is for garments that crease easily eg business shirts.
■
Wool cycle is for machine washable woollens.
Regular Heavy duty Delicate Permanent
Press Wool
Wash Time 12 min 15 min 6 min 9 min 6 min
Wash Action Regular Heavy Duty Delicate Regular Delicate
Wash Temp Cold Cold Cold Cold Cold
Rinse 2
deep rinses
2
deep rinses
2
deep rinses
2
deep rinses
2
deep rinses
Spin Speed Fast Fast Slow Slow Medium
Spin Time 6 min 6 min 4 min 2 min 6 min
Cycle Times*
Large 50 53 42 43 42
Medium 47 50 38 39 39
Compact 43 46 34 34 34

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Wash Options and Advancing the Cycle
To Select the Wash Options
Model
1 Select the wash cycle, temperature, water level and
spin speed. (Refer to Page 11).
2 Press the OPTIONS button if you want to choose
Eco, Soak or Water Saver. (Refer to pages 18 and 19).
3 Press START/PAUSE.
Model
1 Select the wash cycle, temperature, water level and
spin speed. (Refer to Page 13).
2 If you wish to save water press the Eco button.
(Refer to page 18).
3 Press START/PAUSE.
The Wash Progress Lights
The Wash Progress lights show all the tasks your Smart Drive™ will do during the wash cycle. As
each task is completed a light goes out, so you can tell at a glance how far the cycle has to go.
Note:
Two lights are used to show warm–hot and warm–cold wash temperatures.
To Advance the Wash Cycle
1 Press POWER.
2 Press the button with the “two arrows” repeatedly
to advance the cycle, to the desired position.
3 Press START/PAUSE.
Note:
Each wash progress light equals 3 minutes of agitation. The Eco option wash progress lights may
in some cases wash for longer. This is dependent on the water level.
Clothes Care Safeguards
To avoid accidentally damaging your clothes there are a few options that your Smart Drive™ will
not accept. For example, you cannot select a hot wash on Delicate, Permanent Press or Wool cycles.

17
EN
Water Levels
Manual Water Level Selection
The agitator has 5 levels marked on its stem that can be used
to help you select the correct water level. Select the correct
water level by using the mark nearest to the top of the load.
■The levels marked on the agitator do not correspond
exactly to the level of the water. They indicate the level of
dry clothes suitable for the water level.
■Your Smart Drive™ may occasionally add water during
agitation. This is to maintain the water level due to the
release of air trapped in the garments.
■Out of balance loads, tangling or splash-over can be caused
by selecting a water level that is too high.
■The medium/high and medium/low settings are available
on the Excellence models only.
Auto Water Level
Model Only
Your Smart Drive™ can automatically select the appropriate
water level for the load.
1 Place your clothes in the machine.
2 Select the wash cycle (Select AUTO if not automatically
selected).
3 Press START/PAUSE.
During fill the machine will pause occasionally to sense
the water level. The machine will check if the water level
is correct by using a series of 2 different agitate strokes. A
slow stroke to sense the load and an agitate stroke to mix
the load. (This may take over a minute.) If it detects that the
water level is not high enough, it will fill with more water
and re-check the level.
■When washing an unusual load, eg large bulky garments
or pillows, we recommend you manually select the water
level and select the Delicate cycle.
■Manually select the water level if there is already water in
the bowl.
Note:
If you feel the Auto Water Level does not fill to the correct level, you can adjust the level the
machine selects. (Refer to Changing Pre-set options page 26 – 29).

18
Wash Options – Saving Water
Eco
& Models
Press the Eco option to save large amounts of water.
The Eco option uses an Eco Spray rinse which has been
specially designed to use 25% less water than the Water
Saver option. Use this option when you want to use
less detergent and less water. If you have low water
pressure or sensitive skin it is better to use the Water
Saver option (Excellence model only).
The Eco option has not been designed to be used with
fabric softener as it does not have a second deep rinse
to dispense the softener correctly.
Water Saver
Model Only
Our Excellence model provides an excellent opportunity
to save on water. Use the Water Saver option when you
want to minimise the amount of water used during a
Regular or Heavy Duty wash cycle.
Press the Water Saver option to change the rinse from
two Deep rinses to a Shower rinse. A Shower rinse
alternatively showers the clothes with water and spins
them to remove the sudsy water. (If you wish to save
even more water select the Eco option).
The Water Saver option has not been designed to be
used with fabric softener as it does not have a second
deep rinse to dispense the softener correctly.
Note:
Water Saver and Eco options are only available on the Regular and Heavy Duty cycles. If you
try to select these options on the Wool, Delicate or Permanent Press cycle, your Smart Drive™
will skip over the option. Water Saver and Eco will take slightly longer than two deep rinses.
There are some wash loads that may not suit being washed using either the `Eco´ or `Water
Saver´ options. For instance, loads that have a lot of sand or sawdust in them or garments
where the colour still runs from them.

19
EN
Wash Options
Soak
Model Only
Use the Soak option to soak clothes at the end of the
wash phase or when you wish to re-use the wash water.
When you select Soak your Smart Drive™ will soak for
a period of 1 hour before completing rinse and spin.
During soak your Smart Drive™ will agitate for a few
seconds every minute.
Nappy Sanitisers/ Bleach
Nappy sanitisers and bleach are very corrosive to metal
surfaces. DO NOT use your Smart Drive™ to soak items
in bleach or sanitiser, or tip the contents of the nappy
bucket into your machine. Rinse and wring items out
thoroughly before placing them in your machine.
Spin Hold
Use the Spin Hold option to:
■Remove drip dry garments from a mixed load before the
wash goes into spin.
■Minimise the clothes creasing when they are left to sit in
the bottom of the bowl at the end of the cycle.
When you have selected Spin Hold, your Smart Drive™
will pause at the end of rinse, beep and the spin light will
flash to tell you that it is waiting for another instruction.
Press START/PAUSE to begin the spin.
Delay Start
Model Only
Delay Start will delay the start of the wash cycle
for 1, 3 or 9 hours.
Press DELAY START once for a delay of 1 hour. Press again for 3
hours, a third time for 9 hours (and again to return to normal).
■Once you press Delay Start your Smart Drive™ will begin the
delay period, you do not have to press START/PAUSE.
■Be careful if using Delay Start for non-colourfast clothes as
dyes may run if the clothes are damp.
■Your Smart Drive™ will not beep at the end of the cycle if Delay
Start is selected.

20
Wash Options
Washing Bulky Items
Forcing large items into the machine may result in
them being damaged during washing. Make sure there
is enough room in the machine for items to move
when being washed.
Some items float up during the wash, (eg duvets/
doonas and pillows). If they sit too high they may touch
stationary parts of the machine during agitate or spin.
To minimize the chance of this happening, bulky items
should be pushed down below the water level after
fill and pushed to sit below the medium high water
level mark on the agitator before spinning. Select a
slow spin.
To prevent an out of balance load or splashover we
recommend washing these items on the Delicate
cycle. If you wish to re-spin the load at a faster speed
make sure the load is sitting below the medium-high
mark before spinning.
Washing Woollens
The Wool Cycle has been approved by the New Zealand
Wool Board and the Australian Wool Corporation for
Woolmark products carrying a MACHINE WASHABLE
care claim. The fibres of these woollens have been
treated to prevent felting when they are machine
washed. Most handknitted garments are not made of
machine washable wool and we recommend that you
wash them by hand.
■Check the care label.
■Use a wool detergent.
■Use the Wool cycle.
■Hand washed woollens may be spun in your Smart Drive™.
■To dry woollens lie them flat on a towel and pat into shape. Dry out of direct sunlight.
■Some wool underlays and sheepskin products can be washed in a washing machine but may
produce excessive amounts of lint that may cause pump blockages.
Bulky items should sit below the
medium high water level mark.