Miele SFAE0 User manual

Operating Instructions
Canister Vacuum Cleaner
en-US
M.-Nr. 11 787 241
HS11

2
Only Miele FilterBags, filters and accessories with
the "Original Miele" logo can be used with this
vacuum. Only then can the suction power of the
vacuum cleaner reach its optimum potential creating
the best possible cleaning results.
USE OF NON-MIELE COMPONENTS MAY VOID
THE WARRANTY.
,The use of FilterBags made of paper or a similar
material, or FilterBags with a cardboard retaining
plate can lead to serious damage to the vacuum
cleaner and may void the warranty, just as with the
use of FilterBags without the "Original Miele" logo.
The "Original Miele" Logo will appear on the
packaging or directly on the FilterBag.
Purchasing new FilterBags and filters
Original Miele FilterBags and filters can be purchased
from an authorized Miele vacuum dealer or by visiting the
Miele store at www.mieleusa.com.

Contents
3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ............................................................ 4
Caring for the environment .............................................................................. 9
Appliance description ....................................................................................... 10
Connection......................................................................................................... 12
Using the accessories supplied ....................................................................... 15
Use...................................................................................................................... 16
Parking, transport and storage ........................................................................ 18
Maintenance ...................................................................................................... 19
Purchasing new FilterBags and filters ................................................................. 19
Ordering the correct FilterBags and filters .......................................................... 19
FilterBag change indicator .................................................................................. 20
How to replace the FilterBag............................................................................... 21
When to change the motor protection filter......................................................... 22
How to change the motor protection filter .......................................................... 22
When to replace the exhaust filter....................................................................... 22
How to replace the AirClean exhaust filter .......................................................... 23
Replacing the AirClean Plus 50, Active AirClean 50, and HEPA AirClean 50 ex-
haust filters.......................................................................................................... 24
Replacing one type of exhaust filter with another ............................................... 25
Cleaning and care ............................................................................................. 26
Frequently Asked Questions ............................................................................ 27
Customer Service.............................................................................................. 28
Contact in case of fault ....................................................................................... 28
Warranty .............................................................................................................. 28
Optional accessories ........................................................................................ 28
LIMITED WARRANTY - VACUUM CLEANERS USA........................................ 30

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
4
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THIS APPLI-
ANCE
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 IMPOR-
TANT 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, cleaning, and troubleshooting.
Remove the plug from the electrical 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 can be used for all normal cleaning of car-
pets, rugs and hard flooring.
 This vacuum cleaner is not intended for outdoor use.
 This vacuum cleaner is intended for use at altitudes of up to
13000ft (4000m) above sea level.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
5
 The vacuum cleaner must only be used to vacuum dry floor sur-
faces. 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 experi-
ence with the machine should not use it without supervision or in-
struction by a responsible person.
Safety with children
 Danger of suffocation! Ensure that any plastic wrappings, bags,
etc. are disposed of safely and kept out of the reach of children.
 Do not allow the vacuum cleaner to be used as a toy. Close atten-
tion is necessary when used near children.
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 cor-
respond 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
qualified electrician. Connecting the vacuum cleaner to a higher volt-
age than indicated in these instructions may result 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 polar-
ized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, re-
verse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to
install the proper outlet. 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 damaged appliance.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
6
 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.
 Reliable and safe operation of this vacuum cleaner can only be
assured if it has been connected to the electricity supply.
 Repairs should only be performed by an authorized service agent
in accordance with national and local safety regulations. Unautho-
rized repairs could cause injury or machine damage. Otherwise the
warranty may be void.
 Do not pull or carry the vacuum cleaner by the power cord, and
be careful not to damage the cord when withdrawing the plug from
the socket. Keep the cord away from sharp edges and do not let it
get pinched, for example, 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 dam-
age.
 Do not use the vacuum cleaner if the power cord is damaged. If
the power cord is damaged it must be replaced together with the
cord reel. For safety reasons this must only be done by Miele Service
or a Miele authorized service technician.
 Do not let the vacuum cleaner get wet. Clean only with a dry cloth
or slightly damp cloth when disconnected from the electrical supply.
 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 gen-
uine Miele replacement parts are used. Faulty components should
only be replaced with genuine Miele parts.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
7
Proper use
 To avoid the risk of damage, do not use the vacuum cleaner with-
out the FilterBag, dust compartment filter and exhaust filter in place.
 The dust compartment cover will not close without a FilterBag in-
serted. Do not force it.
 Do not vacuum up anything which has been burning or smoking,
e.g., cigarettes, ashes or hot ash, whether glowing or apparently ex-
tinguished.
 Do not use the vacuum cleaner to vacuum up any water, liquid or
damp dirt. Wait until any freshly cleaned or shampooed rugs or car-
pets are completely dry before attempting 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 substances are stored.
 Do not vacuum at head height and do not let the suction get any-
where near a person's head.
Accessories
 To avoid the risk of injury when vacuuming with a Miele turbo-
brush, do not touch the rotating roller brush.
 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 FilterBags, filters, and accessories bearing the “ORIGI-
NAL Miele” logo on the packaging. The manufacturer cannot other-
wise guarantee the safety of the product.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
8
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

Caring for the environment
9
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 the FilterBags
and filters
Filterbags and filters are made from en-
vironmentally friendly materials, and can
be disposed of with the normal house-
hold waste, as long as they have been
used exclusively for general household
dust.
Disposing of your old appli-
ance
Before disposing of your old appliance
remove the FilterBag and filters and dis-
pose of them with your household
waste.
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 general waste or if
handled incorrectly. Please do not,
therefore, dispose of your old appliance
with general waste.
Instead, please make use of officially
designated collection and disposal
points to dispose of and recycle electri-
cal and electronic appliances. By law,
you are solely responsible for deleting
any personal data from the appliance
prior to disposal. Please ensure that
your old appliance poses no risk to chil-
dren while being stored for disposal.

Appliance description
10
The illustration shows the maximum number of features available

Appliance description
11
a
Handle
b
Air inlet valve
c
Release buttons *
d
Telescopic suction wand *
e
Telescopic suction wand release button *
f
Connection socket
g
Release buttons for the dust compartment cover
h
Motor protection filter
i
Original Miele filter bag
j
Floorhead *
k
Carrying handle
lPark system for storage (on both sides of the vacuum cleaner)
mOriginal Miele exhaust filter *
nFoot switch for automatic cord rewind
oPower cord
pRotary selector
qPark system for pauses during vacuuming
rOn/off  foot switch
sRelease button for accessories compartment
tFilter bag change indicator
* These features are model-specific and may vary or may not be available on your
vacuum cleaner.

12
Connection
Attaching the suction hose
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.
Disconnecting the suction hose
Press the release buttons at the side
of the hose connector, and lift the
hose from the socket.
Connect the suction hose to the han-
dle
Fit the connector at the other end of
the suction hose into the handle until
it clicks into position.
Connecting the handle to the suction
wand
Insert the handle into the suction
wand until it clicks into position. To
do this, line up the guides on the two
pieces.

13
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.
Adjusting the telescopic suction
wand
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.
Connect the suction wand to the
floorhead
Push the suction wand into the floor-
head and turn it clockwise or coun-
terclockwise until it clicks into posi-
tion.
To separate the suction wand from
the floorhead, press the release but-
ton and pull the suction wand away
from the floorhead, twisting it slightly
as you do so.
Adjusting the floorhead
(only for models with a reversible floor-
head included in the standard version)
This vacuum cleaner can be used for
the everyday cleaning of carpets, rugs
and hard flooring.
Miele offers a range of other floorheads,
brushes and accessories for other types
of flooring and special applications (see
“Optional accessories”).
Please always follow the flooring
manufacturer's cleaning and care in-
structions.

14
Vacuum carpets and rugs with the
brush retracted:
Press the foot switch .
Clean hard flooring which is not sus-
ceptible to scratching, and flooring with
gaps or deep crevices in it with the
brush protruding:
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”).
Activating the TimeStrip® exhaust fil-
ter change indicator on the exhaust
filter
Depending on the model, your vacuum
cleaner will be fitted as standard with
one of the following exhaust filters.
a AirClean
b AirClean Plus 50 (light blue)
c Active AirClean 50 (black)
d HEPA AirClean 50 (white)
If your vacuum cleaner is fitted with ex-
haust filter c or d, you need to activate
the TimeStrip® exhaust filter change in-
dicator.
Press the release button on the re-
cessed grip and raise the dust com-
partment lid as far as it will go.

15
Remove the indicator strip.
Press the TimeStrip® exhaust filter
change indicator.
After approx. 10–15 seconds a thin red
line will appear in the left-hand side of
the display.
Close the dust compartment lid se-
curely, making sure it clicks into posi-
tion. Take care not to trap the filter
bag when doing so.
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. 50operat-
ing hours equates to approximately one
year of use.
Using the accessories supplied
Crevice nozzle
Dusting brush
Upholstery nozzle

16
Opening the accessories compart-
ment
Press the release button on the ac-
cessories compartment lid.
The accessories compartment will then
open.
Take out the accessory you require.
Press down firmly on the lid to close
it.
Reversible floorhead
(included as standard depending on
model)
For general use and also for vacuuming
the stairs.
For safety reasons when vacu-
uming stairs, it is best to start at the
bottom of the stairs and move up-
wards.
Use
Unwinding the power cord
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
Remove the plug from the electrical
socket.

17
Press the rewind foot switch. The
power cord will rewind automatically.
Switching on and off
Press the On/Off foot switch.
Regulating the suction power
The suction power can be regulated to
suit the type of flooring being cleaned.
Reducing the suction power reduces
the amount of effort required to maneu-
ver the floorhead.
The vacuum cleaner has symbols on
the controls which indicate the type of
use the settings are suitable for.
Curtains, fabrics
Upholstery, cushions
Deep-pile carpets, rugs, and run-
ners
Energy-saving normal vacuuming
with low noise
Low-pile carpet and rugs
Hard flooring and heavily soiled
carpets and rugs
When using the adjustable floorhead,
if the suction seems too high, reduce
the suction until the floorhead is eas-
ier to maneuver.
Turn the suction power selector man-
ually to the suction power setting you
require.
Opening the air inlet valve
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.

18
Open the air inlet valve on the handle
far enough to reduce the suction
power.
The floorhead will be easier to maneu-
ver.
During vacuuming
When vacuuming, pull the vacuum
cleaner behind you on its wheels. You
can stand it upright for vacuuming
stairs and curtains, etc.
Parking, transport and storage
Park system for pauses during vacu-
uming
The park system allows you to conve-
niently park the suction wand and floor-
head during pauses.
Slot the floorhead into the parking at-
tachment on the vacuum cleaner.
If your vacuum cleaner is on a slop-
ing surface, e.g., a ramp, retract the
telescopic suction wand fully.
Park system for storage
Always disconnect the vacuum
cleaner from the power supply when
you have finished using it. Remove
the plug from the socket.
Stand the vacuum cleaner upright.
It is a good idea to retract the tele-
scopic suction wand fully.

19
Slot the floorbrush downwards into
one of the parking attachments on
the sides of the vacuum cleaner.
This makes the vacuum cleaner easier
to carry or store.
Maintenance
Always switch off the vacuum
cleaner for maintenance work and
remove the plug from the outlet.
The Miele filtration system consists of
three components:
- Original Miele FilterBag
- Motor protection filter
- Original Miele exhaust filter
These will need to be replaced from
time to time to ensure that your vacuum
cleaner performs efficiently.
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.
FilterBags with the “ORIGINAL Miele”
logo on the packaging are not made
from paper or paper-based materials
and nor do they have a cardboard col-
lar. This is why Miele FilterBags are
particularly long-lasting and reliable.
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.
Purchasing new FilterBags and filters
Original Miele FilterBags and filters are
available from the Miele Webstore and
your Miele dealer.
Ordering the correct FilterBags and
filters
Only use original Miele GN FilterBags
with a blue collar and original Miele fil-
ters. These are identified by the “ORIGI-
NAL Miele” logo on the packaging.

20
Every packet of original Miele FilterBags
contains four bags, one AirClean ex-
haust filter, and one motor protection fil-
ter. Original Miele multipacks contain 16
FilterBags, four AirClean exhaust filters,
and four motor protection filters.
Original Miele exhaust filters can also
be purchased separately from your
Miele dealer or Miele Service. Please
quote the model number of your vac-
uum cleaner when ordering to make
sure you get the correct filter. You can
also order all accessories via the Miele
Webstore.
FilterBag change indicator
Change the FilterBag when the color
marker in the FilterBag change indicator
turns red.
Blocked pores reduce the efficiency of
the vacuum cleaner.
Dispose of the FilterBag when it is full.
Do not attempt to re-use the FilterBag.
Checking the FilterBag change indi-
cator
Attach the adjustable floorhead or the
floorbrush to the vacuum cleaner (in-
cluded as standard depending on
model).
Switch the vacuum cleaner on and
select the highest power setting.
Lift the adjustable floorhead/floor-
brush off the floor a little.
How the FilterBag change indicator
works
The FilterBag change indicator is de-
signed for normal household dust. This
generally contains a mixture of dust,
hair, threads, carpet fluff, grit, etc.
However, if the vacuum cleaner has
been used to vacuum up fine dust, such
as drilling dust, sand, plaster dust, or
flour, the pores of the FilterBag will be-
come blocked very quickly.
The indicator will indicate that the bag
is “full” even when it is not. The Fil-
terBag must be replaced if this is the
case.
If, on the other hand, you vacuum up a
significant amount of hair, carpet lint,
etc., the FilterBag will be full to bursting
before the indicator reacts.