Whirlpool LA38OOXK User manual

I
I
I’
Model LA38UOXK
super Capacity
whirlpool AUTOMATIC WASHER
Use& Care
Guide
Copy Your Model and Serial Numbers Here
When you need service, or call
with a question, have this informatlon
ready,
1. Complete Model and Serial Numbers
(from the plate under the lid near the ~
hinge).
2. Purchase date from sales slip (or date
installed).
Copy this information In these
spaces. Keep this book in the Laundry
Information Center with your laundry
Gulae, sales slip and warranty

Before using
your Washer
Please read this booklet to be
sure your washer ISInstalled and used
properly. It WIII help you get the best
results and longest life your washer was
deslgned to give
You are personally responsi-
ble for making sure that Your
washer...
l Is Installed by a quaIlfled installer
l Is properly Installed and leveled on a
floor that can support the weight
l Is connected to the right kind of outlet,
electric supply, water supply and drain
l Is properly electrically grounded
l Is used only for jobs normally
expected of home automatic washers
l Is properly maIntaIned
l Is protected from the weather
l Is not run by children or anyone
unable to operate it properly
Remove the Consumer Buy
Guide label It will be easier to remove
before the washer IS used
You may want to wipe out the
basket with a damp cloth before using
to remove dust from storing or shlpplng
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: See the
Laundry Guide for tips on deter- .
gents, other laundry aids and
instructions for washing special
items.
.See the lnstallatlon InstructIons for
complete informatlon
CAUTION: Store laundry deter-
gent and additives in a cool, dry
place where children can’t
reach them.
Contents
Before Using Your Washer
Loading Your Washer
Understanding Your Washer
Cleaning the Lint Filter
Using Your Washer
Important Detergent Information
ForaPreWash .,
For Rinsing Only
For Spinning Only : :
Cycle Operation
REGULAR HEAVY
SOAK
SHORT :::: ,::
If You Need Service or Help
1 Before Calling for Service
2 If You Need Service
3 If YouHavea Problem

loading your
Washer
For best washing results and
energy savings. sort the laundry
carefully
1. Sort the Laundry into Loads.
l Group the laundry into loads that
can be washed and dried together.
See the Laundry Guide for informa-
tion and samples of typical loads.
l Try to mix large and small items for
best movement in the washer.
2. Measure Detergent; Add to
Washer Basket.
l See detergent information on page
6 and in Section IV of the Laundry
Guide.
l Add dry bleach or water condi-
tioner [not fabric softener] if used.
Follow the package directions
carefully.
3. Dilute Liquid Bleach Before Add-
ing to the Washer Basket.
l See the “Laundry Aids” section of
the Laundry Guide for more
information.
4. Load the Washer.
l Spread the load evenly. (Don’t put
all the towels on one side and a few
wash cloths on the other,) An unbal-
anced load can cause the washer to
shake during spinning.
l Load without packing so items can
move freely for best cleaning and
least wrinkling.
5. Add Diluted Fabric Softener Only
to the Deep Rinse Cycle.
. DO NOT ADD FABRIC SOFTENER TO
THE WASH Fabric softeners can com-
bine with soap or detergent to make
greasy stains on fabrics
Understanding
Your Washer
This automatic washer has ?hree
cyc es Each ISdeslgned for a type cf
load You car‘ control the wash water
temperature and the amount that fills
the *;ashe’ bc moving the Cycle Con+ro
knob according to nstructlons 31
page 4
Sections In this Use & Core SLj,s’e
go into detail on +he ‘What and ‘tihy
of each setting Read this and the
!ourizry Horde carefully to get the best
cleaning results
Cleaning
Filter the lint
/
Water runs through the lint filter
whenever the washer agrtates Check It
often to make sure it’s clean and filter-
ing at Its best
To remove It for cleaning, bress
tie release and pull straight out lnstruc
iIons for cleaning are printed on the
bottom of the filter

Using Your Washer
Your automatic .casher 1seasy to
use io make it even easier, read the
following steps before starilng your first
load Star? your washer after you put In
detergent, the load, and any other
laundry alds according to Information
cn page 3
1. Select a Cycle and Start the
Washer.
l Push the Cycle Cortr’zl Knob or-and
tjrn it to the right (clockwise)
l Stop when the pointer ISon the GUT”
her of mnutes you want in the cycle you
want NOTE: In the REGULAR HEAVY
and SHORT Cycles, the washer WIII fill
only if the Control Knob points to a fill
area
0 lnstructlons on ~vb10 cycle to use for
each fabric type are under the lid
l To start the washer, pull the Cycle
Control Knob out Wher ‘he cycle IS
over, the washer L~II~stop
l To stop the washer at any time
during a cycle, push the Control
Knob in. Pull it out to restart the washer
l To change a setting, push the Con
trol Knob In to stop the washer Then
turn the Control Kr ob tothe right (clock
wise) to the setting koc, n,an+ Pull the
knob out to star? the Nastier
2. To Adjust the Wash Water
Temperature.
w Hoi wash can be selected on\y In the
REGULAR HEAVY Cycle Turn the Cycle
Control Knob so the pointer is on from 12
to 14 minutes in the REGULAR HEAVY
Cycle t
l For a warm wash in REGULAR
HEAVY, turn the Cycle Control Knob so
the pointer is on from 8 to10 minutes
In the REGULAR HEAVY Cycle
A warm wash IS pre-set In the
SHORT and SOAK Cycles Turn the Cycle
Control Knob so the pointer ISon from 6
to 8 minutes In the SHORT Cycle, or 2
to 22 minutes in the SOAK Cycle
All rinses use cold water.
A

3. To Use Less Wash Water.
When you have only a few Items
to wash, you may want to use less water
to help save energy Setting the washer
to f//i w/th iess water a/so sets it for 0
shorter ogdation t/me
l The washer WIII fill to its hrghest level
(about 20.5 gallons or 77 6 liters) in the
SOAK Cycle or when the Control Knob
points to a fill area in other Cycles.
l To use less water, push the Control
Knob In and turn to the right (clockwise)
to a fill area in the cycle you want
l Pull the Control Knob out, the washer
will start tofiil
l When there IS as much water as you
want In the washer, push In the Cycle
Control Knob SLOWLY turn the Control
Knob to the right past the fill area Pull
out the knob to start
l You can have as many as 6 or as few
as 2 minutes of agitation with a low
water level In the REGULAR HEAVY
Cycle In the SHORT Cycle, you will have
2 to 4 minutes of agitation
l At any point rn the SOAK Cycle the
washer will fill to Its highest level with
warm water. For a rinse, the washer fills
to its hrghest level with cold water.
4.
Load Sizes.
For the best cleaning results, the
load should move freely in the water
Watch for rollover. An item (like a sock)
should sink and come up again later

Important
Detergent
Information
Detergents and soups clean
by loosening solI, and by holding it in
the water so It drains away If not
enough detergent IS used, so11 and
lint can settle back on the items In
the load
SOAP works best In soft water
(O-4 grains hardness) In harder water
both the wash and rinse water should
be softened Use enough soap to
make about I’ 2to 2 Inches (3 8 to 5 5
cm) of suds
DETERGENT works in hard or
soft wafer Package directions are
usually based on soft water and
washers with normal-size tubs Use
more detergent...
1 for hard water
2 for loads and water levels
larger than MEDIUM
3 for heavy greasy or
oily SOIIS
4 if the detergent ISlow
phosphate
5 for cold-water washes
DETERGENT SUDS. There are
high, normal and low sudstng pow-
dered detergents If the recom-
mended amount of detergent makes
too much suds, switch to a lower
sudsing brand DO NOT REDUCE THE
AMOUNT of detergent
Use the following chart as
beginning suggestions for powdered
and liquid detergent amounts See
your laundry Guide for more infor-
mation (pages 14-22).
WATERHARDNESS IN GRAINS
O-4 Grains 4-10 Grains IO-20 Grains
Powdered Detergents
Low Suds II4 cups (300 ml) II2 cups (350 mL) la;-2 cups
(425475 mL)
Normal Suds I34 cups (425 ml) 2’2 cups (600 mL) 3 cups (700 mL)
High Suds 2 cups (475 ml) 3 cups (700 ml) 3’2 cups (825 ml)
No phosphate -Follow package recommendations-
Liquid Detergents ‘3 toI’, cups (80 to 325 ml), depending on the brand
and amount of soil. Follow package recommendations
* These recommendations do not apply..
l In areas where phosphates are banned.
l In areas with laws limiting [by weight or percentage] the amount
of detergent used in a wash load.

For a Pre Wash
Use this setting TV’ a shiorter
SOAK CYCLE (no rinse‘ Jse enough
detergent for a sIngIt; .LJS~ 4dd the
ioad
l Set the LOAD SIZE SELECTOR.
l Push the Cycle Con*rcl Knob In and
turn it to the 12-mrnufe mark In the
SOAK CYCLE
“?. . . .j’L’ .
SOAh
l Pull the Control Knob out to start the
washer
l The washer will fill, agitate for two
mrnutes, soak for eight mrnutes, agi-
tate for two more, and ‘hen drain and
spin (See SOAK CYCLE description
on pagea )
l After filling, the washer may
pause before starting to agitate.
For Rinsing Only
Loads with towels, diapers,
jeans or heavrly soiled items often
need extra detergent Extra detergent
can require an extra rinse
Your washer can be set to rinse
only Use the settiny for an extra rrnse,
or for laundry that orI\/ needs a rinse
and spin
Cycle Control Knob, turn the pointer to
one of those asterisks and pull the
Control Knob out, the washer WIII fill,
agrtate, drain and spin
The washer fills with cold water
Water level and temperature can’t
be adjusted in this setting
For Spinning Only
There may be times when you
wart to drain out all the wash water
and start over. To stop the wasner at
any time, just push in on the Cycle
Cortrol Knob
To set the washer so it drains
and spins water out of the load, push
In on the Control Knob, turn to the right
(clockwise) so the pointer IS touching
the bar just before OFF in any cycle
The washer WIII drain, spin out
water and stop.
There IS an ‘asterlsk( ) just after
the numbers in REGULAR HEAVY and
SHORT cycles If vou push In on the

Cycle
Operation
l PUSH IN KNOB, TURN TO
CYCLE AND TIME
. PULL OUT TO START
l PUSH IN KNOB, TURN TO
CYCLE AND TlME
. PULL OUT TO START
l PUSH IN KNOB, TURN TO
CYCLE AND TIME
. PULL OUT TO START
REGULAR HEAVY CYCLE
Use for sturdy whrte and colorfast cot-
tons and for neavy work clothes High
ogrtat~on and spin speeds help get the
best cleaning results
SOAK CYCLE
This cycle ISnot for washing It soaks,
agitates spurs out the water and stops
(no rlnsej Use it for stained, yellowed.
grey or heavily solied laundq with a
detergent or pre-soak product Chlorine
bleach if \vonted. should be added
tc the cycle you use after the SOAK
C,ycle s over
SHORT CYCLE
lbse for delicate items That need a short
‘Aosh and sprn time Wash nylon hose
or oanty hose In a net laundv bag

Cycle You cun also work the Cycle If you turn to a cycle and start the
Control Knob to use less water In the washer, but change your mend, push in
REGULAR HEAVY and SHORT Cycles on the Cycle Control Knob and turn to
NOTE: You may notice that some the right (clockwise) to the setting you
of the “SPIN” cycles have SPRAY RINSES.
want Then pull out to start
Cold water ICsprayed on the
spinning load to help rinse and remove
detergent residue
Before adding detergent for washing, dissolve In quart of worm water [or
use liquid detergent)
k Pre Wash setting [page 7) begins here

If You Need
Service or Help,
We suggest You
Follow These Three
Steps:
1. Before calling for service
Problems are sometimes caused
by little thongs qcu con correct without
tool: Check this st before you call
for ser‘J+ce
IF YOUR WASHER DOES NOT FILL:
l Is tne power subply cord plugged In’
l Are both hsater faucets open7
l s a fclse blotin or clrcul+-breaker
-rippec^
l 4re the \vater suop~y hoses kl-lkedy
l s the Cycse CorVol Knob set and
bulled cut’
IF YOUR WASHER DOES NOT SPIN:
l Is the Ild closed’
l Is the pcwer supply corl plugged In7
l Is a fuse blown or crrcult-breaker
trooped?
IF WASHER FILLS AND DRAINS WITHOUT
RUNNING:
l Make sure that the Cycle Control
Knob ISpolntlng to a number In the
cycle
MAKE SURE THE DRAIN HOSE IS HIGHER
THAN THE WATER LEVEL IN THE WASHER.
IF IT ISN’T...
l The washer may seem to be draining
during wash and rinse cycles
l IWater can srphon out (See lnstallat+on
Instructions ]
10

2. If you need service :
If your WHIRLPOOL appliance ever
needs service anywhere in the United
States, help ISjust a phone call away
to your nearest Whirlpool franchrsed
TECH-CARE service representative
Whrrlpool marntalns a nationwide
network of franchised TECH-CARE ser-
vice companies to fulfill your warranty
and provide after-warranty service and
maintenance to keep your WHIRLPOOL
applrance in peak condrtion
You’ll find your nearest TECH-CARE
service company listed in your local
telephone book Yellow Pages under
APPLIANCES -HOUSEHOLD - MAJOR
SERVICE &REPAIR. Should you not find
a listing, dial free, the Whirlpool
COOL-LINE’ service assistance tele-
phone number.
When calling from:
Michigan [phone]
Alaska &
Hawaii (800) 253-l 121
All other
states (800) 253-l 301
If you move...To make sure that your
appliance is correctly Installed and to
insure Its continued satrsfactory
operation, please telephone your
nearest TECH-CARE ’ service company
for rnstallatton or to get the name of a
qualified installer. (Installation cost will,
of course, be paid by you.)
Helpful hints...You can h,elb your
-!S‘iZARE ser\/rce representatrve give
,X faster service if you Include the
~,lotdel and serial number of your
xpr:‘iarnce when requesting service
;~srj retain your sales slip and warranty
z v*rifY your Norrunty status
Remember...Your TECH-CARE service
-?presentatrve IS specially trained In the
yxpert repairing and servlc ng of your
.VH ?LPOOL appliances He can help
,ou maintain the quality origrnally built
l,ytc your WHIRLPOOL appliance So why
not +ake the time, now, to look up his
telephone number and jot it down In the
space provided on the cover
3. If you have a problem :
Call Whrrlpool Corporatron In Benton
Harbor at the COOL-LINE service
assrstance telephone number [see Step
2) or write
Mr Guy Turner, Vice President
‘Whrrlpool Corporation
Admlnrstratrve Center
2000 U S 33 North
Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022
If you must call or write, please
provide your name, address,
telephone number, type of appliance.
brand, model, serial number, date of
purchase, the dealer’s name, and a
complete descriptron of the problem
Thus information ISneeded in order to
better respond to your request for
assistance.

Benlon Harbor. Michigan. Aulomallc Washers Clolhes Dryers
%Ldp@ E?y~ Freezers.
Relrlgeralor-Freezers Ice Makers. DIshwashers
F x Bu~ll-ln Ovens and Surface Units Ranges Microwave Ovens.
Compactors Room Au Condilloners. Dehumldlllerr. Central
I ,r i ~2 Healmg and AII Condllionmg Syslems
Quality. Our way of life.