Miele HS20 User manual

en -US Operating Instructions Canister Vacuum Cleaner
en -Operating instructions Canister vacuum cleaner
fr - CA Mode d’emploi Aspirateur-chariot
M.-Nr. 11 882 410
HS20
CA

2
en-US ................................................................................................................. 3
en-CA ................................................................................................................. 26
fr-CA .................................................................................................................. 47

en-US - Contents
3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ............................................................ 4
Caring for the environment .............................................................................. 11
Appliance description ....................................................................................... 12
References to illustrations................................................................................ 14
Connection......................................................................................................... 14
Using the accessories supplied ...................................................................... 15
Use...................................................................................................................... 15
Setting down and storing the vacuum cleaner............................................... 17
Maintenance ...................................................................................................... 17
Emptying and cleaning the dust container......................................................... 17
Cleaning the fine dust filter ................................................................................. 18
Putting the fine dust filter and the filter mat together.......................................... 19
Cleaning the filter frame and pre-filter................................................................ 19
When to replace the exhaust filter....................................................................... 20
Replacing the exhaust filter ................................................................................ 20
Replacing the thread lifters ................................................................................ 20
Cleaning and care ............................................................................................. 21
Frequently Asked Questions ............................................................................ 22
Customer Service.............................................................................................. 23
Contact in case of fault ....................................................................................... 23
Warranty .............................................................................................................. 23
Optional accessories ........................................................................................ 23
Purchasing accessories ...................................................................................... 23
LIMITED WARRANTY - VACUUM CLEANERS USA........................................ 25

en-US - IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
4
This vacuum cleaner complies with all current local and
national safety requirements. Improper use can lead to
personal injury and damage to property.
Please read the operating instructions before using the
vacuum cleaner for the first time. They contain important
information on the safety, use, and maintenance of the
vacuum cleaner. This prevents both personal injury and
damage to the appliance.
Miele expressly and strongly advises that you read and
follow the instructions in the “Connection” chapter as
well as the IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.
Miele cannot be held liable for injury or damage caused
by non-compliance with these instructions.
Keep these operating instructions in a safe place and
pass them on to any future user.
Always disconnect the vacuum cleaner from the power
supply when you have finished using it, before changing
any accessories, as well as for maintenance work, clean-
ing, and troubleshooting. Remove the plug from the elec-
trical socket.
Correct use
 This vacuum cleaner is intended for cleaning flooring in
domestic households and similar residential environments.
This vacuum cleaner is not suitable for use on construction
sites.
 This vacuum cleaner is not intended for outdoor use.

en-US - IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
5
 This vacuum cleaner can be used for all normal cleaning
of carpets, rugs and hard flooring.
 This vacuum cleaner is intended for use at altitudes of
up to 13000ft (4000m) above sea level.
 The vacuum cleaner must only be used to vacuum dry
floor surfaces. Do not vacuum people or animals. Any
other types of use, modifications, or alterations are not
permitted.
 Persons which lack physical, sensory or mental abilities
or experience with the machine should not use it without
supervision or instruction by a responsible person.
 Use only as described in this manual.
Use only manufacturer's recommended attachments.
Safety with children
 Danger of suffocation! Ensure that any plastic wrap-
pings, bags, etc. are disposed of safely and kept out of the
reach of children.
 Children must be kept away from the vacuum cleaner
unless they are constantly supervised.
 Do not allow the vacuum cleaner to be used as a toy.
Close attention is necessary when used near children.

en-US - IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
6
WARNING
To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock or injury:
 Check the voltage rating of the vacuum cleaner before
connecting the power cord to an electrical outlet. Your
power source should correspond with the voltage rating
plate located on the underside of the vacuum. Use only
household AC outlets. Never use DC power sources. If you
are not sure of your home’s voltage supply, consult a qual-
ified electrician. Connecting the vacuum cleaner to a
higher voltage than indicated in these instructions may re-
sult in damage to the vacuum cleaner or injury.
 To reduce the risk of electric shock, this appliance has a
polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other.) This plug
will fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does
not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not
fit, contact a qualified electrician to install the proper out-
let. Do not alter the plug in any way.
Technical safety
 Before using the vacuum cleaner and its accessories,
check for any visible signs of damage. Do not use a dam-
aged appliance.
 Compare the connection data on the data plate of the
vacuum cleaner (voltage and frequency) with that of the
electricity supply. This data must match exactly. Without
modifications, the vacuum cleaner is suited for 50Hz or
60Hz.
 The electrical outlet must be rated at 15Amps.

en-US - IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
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 Reliable and safe operation of this vacuum cleaner can
only be assured if it has been connected to the electricity
supply.
 Do not pull or carry the vacuum cleaner by the power
cord, and be careful not to damage the cord when with-
drawing the plug from the socket. Keep the cord away
from sharp edges and do not let it get pinched, for exam-
ple, under a door. Avoid running the vacuum cleaner over
the cord. This could damage the cord, plug or socket. The
appliance must not be used if any of these have suffered
damage.
 Do not use the vacuum cleaner if the power cord is
damaged. If the power cord is damaged it must be re-
placed together with the cord reel. For safety reasons this
must only be done by Miele Service or a Miele authorized
service technician.
 Repairs should only be performed by an authorized ser-
vice agent in accordance with national and local safety
regulations. Unauthorized repairs could cause injury or ma-
chine damage. Otherwise the warranty may be void.
 Repairs should only be carried out by a Miele-authorized
service technician. Repairs and other work by unqualified
persons can cause considerable danger to users.
 Miele can only guarantee the safety of the appliance
when genuine Miele replacement parts are used. Faulty
components should only be replaced with genuine Miele
parts.

en-US - IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
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 The packaging material protects the vacuum cleaner
from transport damage. We recommend you keep the
packaging for transport purposes.
Proper use
 Do not use the vacuum cleaner without the dust con-
tainer, fine dust filter with filter mat, filter frame, pre-filter,
dust compartment seal, and exhaust filter.
 Do not use with damaged cord or plug.
If appliance is not working as it should, has been dropped,
damaged, left outdoors, or dropped into water, return it to
a service center.
 Do not put any object into openings. Do not use with
any opening blocked; keep free of dust, lint, hair, and any-
thing that may reduce air flow.
 Do not vacuum up anything which has been burning or
smoking, e.g., cigarettes, ashes or hot ash, whether glow-
ing or apparently extinguished.
 Do not use the vacuum cleaner to vacuum up any water,
liquid or damp dirt. Wait until any freshly cleaned or sham-
pooed rugs or carpets are completely dry before attempt-
ing to vacuum.
 Do not use the vacuum cleaner to vacuum toner dust.
Toner, such as that used in printers and photocopiers, can
conduct electricity.
 Do not vacuum up any flammable or combustible liquids
or gases and do not vacuum in areas where such sub-
stances are stored.

en-US - IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
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 Do not vacuum at head height and do not let the suction
get anywhere near a person's head.
 Keep hair, loose clothing, fingers, and all part of body
away from openings and moving parts.
 Use extra care when cleaning on stairs.
Cleaning
 Do not immerse the vacuum cleaner or any accessories
supplied with it in water.
 Clean the vacuum cleaner and accessories only with a
dry cloth or slightly damp cloth and mild liquid dish soap.
Exception for fine dust filter:
If the dust filter is heavily soiled, you can rinse the ribbed
side of the filter and the filter mat under cold running water.
Do not use liquid dish soap or cleaning brushes. Do not
use any sharp or pointed objects. After cleaning, allow the
fine dust filter and the filter mat to dry in a well ventilated
room for a minimum of 24hours, placing the filter with the
pleated side facing up. Choose a well ventilated room.
Accessories
 It is not advisable to vacuum directly with the handle,
i.e., without an accessory attached, as the rim could get
damaged and you could hurt yourself on sharp edges.
 Only use genuine accessories with the “ORIGINAL
Miele” logo on the packaging. The manufacturer cannot
otherwise guarantee the safety of the product.

en-US - IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
10
California Proposition 65
THE FOLLOWING WARNING IS REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS ONLY:
WARNING:
Cancer and Reproductive Harm -
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

en-US - Caring for the environment
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Disposing of sales packaging
The packaging material protects the
vacuum cleaner from transport damage.
The packaging materials used are se-
lected from materials which are environ-
mentally friendly for disposal and can
therefore be recycled.
Recycling the packaging material re-
duces the use of raw materials in the
manufacturing process and also re-
duces the amount of waste in landfill
sites. Make sure the packaging is dis-
posed of in the proper manner for your
area.
Disposing of your old appli-
ance
Before disposing of your old appliance,
remove the fine dust filter including the
filter mat and the exhaust filter and dis-
pose of them with your household
trash.
Electronic and electrical appliances
contain many valuable materials. They
also contain certain materials, com-
pounds, and components which were
essential for their correct functioning
and safety. These could be hazardous
to your health and to the environment if
disposed of with household trash or if
handled incorrectly. Please do not,
therefore, dispose of your old appliance
with household trash.
Instead, please make use of officially
designated collection and disposal
points to dispose of and recycle electri-
cal and electronic appliances. Please
ensure that your old appliance poses no
risk to children while being stored for
disposal.

en-US - Appliance description
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en-US - Appliance description
13
aHandle
bAir inlet valve
cRelease buttons
dComfort telescopic suction wand
eComfort telescopic wand release mechanism
fFloorhead*
gSide flap release catch (to gain access to the filter frame and the pre-filter)
hCleaning tool
iFine dust filter with filter mat
jDust container release mechanism
kDust container
lFilter frame
mPre-filter
nDust container carrying handle
oPower cord
pDust compartment seal
qPark system
rFoot switch for cord rewind
sSuction power selector
tOn/off foot switch
uVacuum cleaner carrying handle
vExhaust filter compartment flap
wSuction hose
* These special features depend on the model and may vary or may not be avail-
able on your vacuum cleaner.

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References to illustrations
The illustrations referred to in the text
are shown on the fold-out pages at
the end of these Operating Instruc-
tions.
Connection
Attaching the suction hose
(Figs. 01+02)
Insert the hose connector into the
suction socket on the vacuum
cleaner until it clicks into position. To
do this, line up the guides on the two
pieces.
If you want to separate the pieces
again, press the release catches at
the side of the hose connector, and
pull the suction hose out of the suc-
tion opening.
Connecting the suction hose to the
handle (Fig. 03)
Insert the suction hose into the han-
dle until it clicks into position.
Connecting the handle to the suction
wand (Fig. 04)
Insert the handle into the suction
wand until it clicks into position. To
do this, line up the guides on the two
pieces.
To release the handle from the suc-
tion wand, press the release button
and pull the handle out of the wand,
twisting it slightly as you do so.
Connect the telescopic suction wand
to the floorhead (Fig. 05)
Push the telescopic suction wand
into the floorhead and turn it clock-
wise or counterclockwise until it
clicks into position.
To detach the floorhead from the suc-
tion wand press the release button
and pull the suction wand away from
the floorhead, twisting it slightly as
you do so.
Activating the TimeStrip® filter
change indicator on the HEPAAir-
Clean exhaust filter (Figs. 06–11)
Depending on the model, your vacuum
cleaner will be equipped as standard
with one of the following exhaust filters:
- HygieneAirCleanSF-HY60
(turquoise)
- HEPAAirCleanSF-HA60 (white)
If your vacuum cleaner is fitted with a
HEPAAirClean exhaust filter, you need
to activate the TimeStrip® filter change
indicator.
You will recognize that the HEPAAir-
Clean exhaust filter is fitted to the appli-
ance by an indicator strip hanging out
of the exhaust filter compartment
(Fig. 06).
Press the release catch on the ex-
haust filter compartment flap and re-
move the flap (Fig. 07).
Remove the indicator strip from the
HEPAAirClean exhaust filter (Fig. 08).
Press the TimeStrip® filter change in-
dicator on the HEPAAirClean exhaust
filter (Fig. 09).

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After approx. 10–15 seconds a thin red
line will appear in the left-hand side of
the display (Fig. 10).
Fit the exhaust filter compartment
flap carefully in the bottom of the ex-
haust filter compartment and close
the flap, making sure it clicks into po-
sition (Fig. 11).
How the TimeStrip® exhaust filter
change indicator works
The TimeStrip® exhaust filter change
indicator shows the remaining func-
tional life of the exhaust filter. After ap-
prox. 50operating hours the display will
be completely filled with red (Fig. 12).
50operating hours equates to approxi-
mately one year of use.
Using the accessories supplied
(Figs. 13+14)
Dusting brush
For cleaning skirting boards, as
well as ornate, carved, or particu-
larly delicate objects.
The head can be swiveled to ad-
just the angle.
Upholstery nozzle
For cleaning upholstery, mat-
tresses, cushions, curtains, etc.
Crevice nozzle
For cleaning in folds, crevices or
corners.
Accessories holder for the
above accessories
Symbols on the holder show
where to attach the different ac-
cessories.
Attach the accessories holder to the
connector on the handle if required.
Make sure it clicks into position
(Fig. 14).
Use
Adjusting the telescopic suction
wand (Fig. 15)
One part of the telescopic suction wand
is packed inside the other, and it can be
adjusted to suit your height for comfort-
able vacuuming.
Grasp the release mechanism and
adjust the telescopic suction wand to
the required length.
Adjusting the floorhead
(Figs. 16+17)
Depending on the model, your vacuum
cleaner will be fitted as standard with
one of the floorheads illustrated.
This vacuum cleaner can be used for
daily cleaning of carpets, rugs, and ro-
bust hard flooring.
Miele offers a range of other floorheads,
brushes, and accessories for other
types of flooring and special applica-
tions (see “Optional accessories”).
Please observe the flooring manu-
facturer’s cleaning and care instruc-
tions.
Clean even hard floors which are not
susceptible to scratching, as well as
flooring with gaps or deep crevices in it,
with the brush protruding:
Press the foot switch.
Vacuum carpets and rugs with the
brush retracted:

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Press the foot switch.
If the suction power of the adjustable
floorhead seems too high, reduce the
suction until the floorhead is easier to
maneuver (see “Use” – “Regulating
the suction power”).
Adjustable floorhead (Fig. 18)
The adjustable floorhead can also be
used for vacuuming the stairs.
Risk of injury caused by falling
vacuum cleaner.
You may be injured if the vacuum
cleaner should fall from the stairs.
When vacuuming stairs, it is best to
start at the bottom of the stairs and
move up.
Power cord
Unwind the cord completely to
aid the vacuum in dissipating heat.
Do not pull or carry by the cord, use
the cord as a handle, close a door on
the cord, or pull the cord around
sharp edges or corners. Do not run
the appliance over the cord. Keep
the cord away from heated surfaces.
Do not unplug by pulling the cord. To
unplug grasp the plug, not the cord.
This appliance is equipped with a
power cord reel. Hold the plug when
rewinding onto cord reel. Do not al-
low plug to whip when rewinding.
Unwinding the power cord (Fig. 19)
Pull the power cord out to the re-
quired length.
Insert the plug into the electrical
socket.
Risk of damage due to overheat-
ing.
The power cord may overheat after a
long period of use.
If vacuuming for longer than 30min-
utes, the power cord must be pulled
out all the way.
Rewinding the power cord (Fig. 20)
Remove the plug from the electrical
socket.
Press the rewind foot switch. The
power cord will rewind automatically.
Switching on and off(Fig. 21)
Press the On/Off foot switch.
During vacuuming
During vacuuming, pull the vacuum
cleaner behind you like a sledge.
Selecting the suction power
The suction power can be adjusted to
suit the type of flooring being cleaned.
Reducing the power lowers the amount
of effort required to maneuver the floor
brush.
The vacuum cleaner has symbols on
the controls which indicate the type of
use the settings are suitable for.
Curtains, lightweight fabric
Deep pile carpets, rugs and run-
ners
Low pile carpet and rugs
Hard flooring and heavily soiled
carpets and rugs (also for clean-
ing upholstery and mattresses
with the upholstery nozzle)

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When using the adjustable floorhead,
if the suction seems too high, reduce
the suction power until the floorhead
is easier to maneuver.
Turn the suction power selector to the
power level you require, making sure
it clicks into position (Fig. 22).
Opening the air inlet valve (Fig. 23)
It is easy to reduce the suction power
for a short time, e.g., to prevent rugs or
other objects being sucked into the
vacuum cleaner.
Open the air inlet valve on the handle
far enough to reduce the suction
power.
The floorhead will be easier to maneu-
ver.
Setting down and storing the
vacuum cleaner
Risk of electric shock from volt-
age.
The supply voltage is applied to the
appliance even if it is switched off.
After use, unplug the appliance from
the electrical socket.
Park system (Fig. 24)
Retract the telescopic suction wand
fully.
Slot the floorhead or floorbrush into
the park system from above.
Do not lift the vacuum cleaner by the
dust container carrying handle when
transporting it.
Always use the vacuum cleaner car-
rying handle.
Maintenance
Risk of electric shock from volt-
age.
The supply voltage is applied to the
appliance even if it is switched off.
Before carrying out any maintenance
work, unplug the appliance from the
electrical socket.
It is recommended to use only genuine
Miele accessories bearing the “ORIGI-
NAL Miele” logo on the packaging.
Only these will guarantee the optimum
performance of your vacuum cleaner
and the best possible cleaning results.
Please note that faults and damage
caused by use of accessories which
do not bear the “ORIGINAL Miele”
logo on the packaging are not covered
by the vacuum cleaner warranty.
Emptying and cleaning the dust
container(Figs. 25–28)
Empty the dust container before the
dust has reached the max marking
on the dust container (Fig. 25).
Unlatch the dust container by lifting
the handle up (Fig. 26).
Remove the dust container.
The contents of the dust compartment
can be disposed of with normal
household trash, providing it contains
general household dust only.
Hold the dust container close to the
trash can so that as little dust billows
out as possible.
Press the release catch on the bot-
tom of the dust container (Fig. 27).

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The flap will open and the dust will fall
out.
If you need to clean the dust con-
tainer, use a slightly damp cloth and
mild liquid dish soap.
Dry the dust container carefully.
Close the flap firmly. It should click
into place.
Insert the dry dust container back
into the vacuum cleaner at an angle
with the handle lifted up (Fig. 28).
Latch the dust container into place by
pushing the handle back down.
Cleaning the fine dust filter
(Figs. 29–36)
The fine dust filter is located on the rear
side of the dust container. It is
equipped with a filter mat.
Clean the filter when necessary and
whenever you notice a reduction in suc-
tion power. Clean both filters with water
once a month and allow a drying time
of 24hours.
Remove the dust container (Fig. 26).
The fine dust filter is located at the rear
of the dust container.
Remove the fine dust filter in the di-
rection of the arrow (Fig. 29).
Remove the filter mat from the fine
dust filter (Fig. 30).
Carefully knock the dust out of both
filters over a trash can.
Take the cleaning tool out of the side
flap on the dust container (Fig. 31).
Clean the pleated side of the fine
dust filter with the long brushes on
the cleaning tool (Fig. 32).
Risk of damage caused by incor-
rect cleaning.
The fine dust filter and the filter mat
can become damaged. Both filters
can lose their effect.
Do not use pointed or sharp-edged
objects to clean the fine dust filter
and the filter mat.
Clean the pleated side of the fine dust
filter and the filter mat with water once a
month.
Rinse the pleated side of the fine dust
filter under cold running water
(Fig. 33).
Clean the filter mat under cold run-
ning water (Fig. 34).
Risk of damage caused by incor-
rect cleaning.
The fine dust filter and the filter mat
can become damaged. Both filters
can lose their effect.
Do not use liquid dish soap or clean-
ing brushes when cleaning the
pleated side of the fine dust filter
with water. After cleaning, allow the
fine dust filter to dry in a well venti-
lated room for a minimum of
24hours with the ribbed side facing
up. Choose a well ventilated room.
After cleaning, also allow the filter
mat to dry for a minimum of
24hours.

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Putting the fine dust filter and the fil-
ter mat together
Attach the dry filter mat to the dry fine
dust filter so that the soft side of the
filter mat is pointing up and the loop
used to remove it is visible (Fig. 35).
Fit the fine dust filter carefully in the
dust container (Fig. 36).
Press the fine dust filter firmly into
position.
In order to continue to achieve the
best possible cleaning results replace
the CXFSF fine dust filter with a new
one after approx. 3years.
Reinsert the dust container in the
vacuum cleaner (Fig. 28).
Cleaning the filter frame and pre-
filter(Figs. 37–41)
There is a removable filter frame on the
rear side of the dust container side flap.
Behind the side flap is a pre-filter.
Clean both parts whenever necessary.
Remove the dust container (Fig. 26).
Lift up the dust container handle and
hold it in this position (Fig. 37).
Press the release catch on the side
flap. There is a cut-out on the oppo-
site side to make it easier to remove
the side flap.
Remove the side flap.
Once the side flap has been removed,
the pre-filter inside can be accessed.
Clean the pre-filter and the side walls
on the inside using the cleaning tool
(Fig. 38).
Risk of damage caused by incor-
rect cleaning.
The pre-filter can become damaged
and be less effective as a result.
Do not use pointed or sharp-edged
objects to clean the pre-filter.
If you need to clean the interior side
walls, use a slightly damp cloth and
mild liquid dish soap.
Dry the interior side walls carefully.
The filter frame is located on the rear
side of the removed side flap at the bot-
tom.
Press the two release catches on the
side of the filter frame and remove the
filter (Fig. 39).
Clean the filter using the cleaning
tool.
Risk of damage caused by incor-
rect cleaning.
The filter can become damaged and
be less effective as a result.
Do not use pointed or sharp-edged
objects to clean the filter.
If you need to clean the filter frame
and the side flap, use a slightly damp
cloth and mild liquid dish soap.
Dry the filter frame and the side flap
carefully.
Refit the filter at the bottom of the dry
filter frame and lock it, making sure it
clicks into position (Fig. 40).
Carefully fit the dry side flap with the
filter frame at the bottom of the dust
container (Fig. 41).

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Lift up the dust container handle and
hold it in this position.
Press the side flap firmly into posi-
tion.
Reinsert the dust container in the
vacuum cleaner (Fig. 28).
When to replace the exhaust filter
Depending on the model, your vacuum
cleaner will be equipped as standard
with one of the following exhaust filters:
- HygieneAirCleanSF-HY 60
(turquoise)
Replace this exhaust filter after ap-
prox. oneyear. Make a note of the
date on the exhaust filter.
- HEPAAirCleanSF-HA60 (white)
Replace this exhaust filter if the
TimeStrip® filter change indicator is
completely red.
The display will be completely filled
with red after approximately 50oper-
ating hours; this corresponds to ap-
proximately one year of average use.
You can continue vacuuming in this
case. However, the suction power
will be reduced as will the effective-
ness of the filter.
Replacing the exhaust filter
(Figs. 42+43)
Press the release catch on the ex-
haust filter compartment flap and re-
move the flap (Fig. 07).
Pull the exhaust filter removal tab up
and pull the exhaust filter forward to
remove it (Fig. 42).
Place the insertion aids that are lo-
cated on both sides of the new ex-
haust filter into the guides on the ex-
haust filter compartment (Fig. 43).
Push the exhaust filter back and up.
Press the exhaust filter firmly into po-
sition until it clicks into place.
If you have fitted your vacuum
cleaner with a HEPAAirClean exhaust
filter, press the TimeStrip® filter
change indicator (Fig. 09).
After approx. 10–15seconds a thin red
line will appear in the left-hand side of
the display (Fig. 10).
Fit the exhaust filter compartment
flap carefully in the bottom of the ex-
haust filter compartment and close
the flap, making sure it clicks into po-
sition (Fig. 11).
Replacing the thread lifters (Fig. 44)
(not possible on models with
EcoTeQPlus floorhead)
The thread lifters on the suction inlet to
the floorhead can be replaced. Replace
the thread lifters if the pile has worn
down.
Lift the thread lifters out of the slots.
To do so use a suitable tool, e.g., a
flat-head screwdriver.
Install new thread lifters.
Replacement parts are available from
your Miele dealer or through Miele
Service.