Whirlpool LA5550XP User manual

AUTOMATIC
WASHER
Design 2000”
z;wE,Capacity
LA5550XP

I
I
Parts and features
L!
LOAD INFl
SIZE /
SELE
4UNDRY TEMPERATURE
.EACH
SER
MODEL AND SERIAL
NUMBER PLATE
- (not shown)
-AGITATOR LINT FILTER
(not shown]
- BASKET
-TUB
Remove the Consumer
Buy Guide label. It will be
easier to remove before
the washer is used.
You should wipe out the
basket with a damp cloth
before using to remove
dust from storing or
shipping.
Copy your Model and Serial Numbers here
When you need service or call with a
question, have this information ready:
Model Number
I. Complete Model and Serial Num-
bers(from plate underthe lid nearthe
hinge]. Ser,o, Number
2. Purchase date from sales slip
Copy this information in these spaces. Purchase Date
Keep this book in the Laundry Informa-
tion Center with your”Laundry Guide,”
sales slip and warranty.
Service Company /
Phone Number
There is no warranty registration to return Proof-of-purchase is all
that is required for in-warranty service.

Your
re
msibilities
Read this “Use and Care Guide”
and your “Laundry Guide” care-
fully for important use and safety
information.
You are personally responsible
for making sure that your
washer..
l is installed by a qualifiedinstaller.
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 grounded.+
l is used only for jobs normally
expected of home automatic
washers.
l is properly maintained.
l is protected from the weather
and kept where the tempera-
ture will not fall below freezing.
l is not run by children or anyone
unable to operate it properly.
*See the “Installation Instructions”
for complete information.
Contents
Page
PARTS AND FEATURES. 2
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES. 3
SAFETY FIRST 3
STARTING YOUR WASHER 4
WHAT HAPPENS IN EACH
CYCLE. 6
OTHER OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS 10
For a Rinse and Spin 10
For a Drain and Spin 10
Cleaning the Lint Filter 10
Liquid Bleach Dispenser 11
CARING FOR YOUR WASHER 12
Winterizing 13
IF YOU NEED SERVICE OR
ASSISTANCE., 14
I. Before Calling for
Assistance 14
2. If You Need Assistance 15
3. If You Need Service 15
4. If You Have a Problem 15
c1985 Whirlpool Corporation -SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS - 3

Starting your washer
Before starting your washer: 1 Measure and add detergent
2 Place sorted load in washer
3 Start washer.
Select a
1. LOAD SIZE Select WATER
2. TEMPERATURES
l Turn the knob to point at a setting . Match the wash water temperature
that describes the size of load you to the type of fabrics and soils being
want to wash. washed
. Set the knob anywhere on or be-
tween EX SMALL (a few items) and
LARGE (a full load).
l All rinses are cold
Recommended wash temperatures
can be found in your “Laundry Guide”
NOTE: Use the LARGE water level
for best permanent press results.
LOAD SIZES AND WATER LEVELS
For best cleaning results, the
load must be able to move freely
in the water. Too big a load or too
little water can cause wear or
tearing of load items. 0
CAUTION :
DO NOT
OVERLOAD WASHER.
*Approximate
fill with load.
LARGE (17.3 gals. 65.5 L)’
MED (13.4 gals.,50.8 L)’
EX SMALL (9.5 gals. 36.0 L)’

3. Start the washer
A. Push in the Control Knob and
turn it to the right. It must be
pushed in and turned only
clockwise.
B. Stop on a mark in the cycle you
want. The marks represent min-
utes of wash time. The drawing
shows 10 minutes of agitation in
the REGULAR LIGHT Cycle.
C. Start the wusher by pulling out
the Control Knob. The washer
will fill to the level you set
with wash water of the selected
temperature. After filling, the
washer will agitate for the
selected wash time.
D. To stop the washer at any time
push in the Control Knob. To
restart the washer, pull out the
Control Knob.
5

What happens in each cycle*
Each cycle has different agitation and spin speeds designed for different
kinds of fabrics.
When the Cycle Control Knob is set to a mark and pulled out, the washer fills
before agitation and timing starts. After agitation starts, the knob turns clockwise
until it points to OFF and the cycle ends.
REGULAR HEAVY Cycle
A cycle for sturdily con-
structed fabrics that are
heavily soiled.
REGULAR LIGHT Cycle
A cycle for sturdily con-
structed fabrics that are
moderately to lightly
soiled.
PERMANENT PRESS HEAVY Cycle
A cycle designed for per-
manent press and some
synthetic fabrics that are
heavily soiled. The cool
down rinse helps keep
wrinkles from setting into
these fabrics.
REFILL
n
COOL
DOWN

NOTE: You may hear the sound of water spraying during the spin parts of
some cycles. In some cycles, cold water is sprayed on the spinning load to help
with the rinsing
1 DRAIN 1 1 SPIN 1 I +=
---
---
DRAIN
No I
No
IA 1 Low IA I
Agitation Speed
I
2
Minutes I

PERMANENT PRESS LIGHT Cycle
A cycle designed for
moderately to lightly soiled
permanent press and
synthetic items. The cool
down rinse helps keep
wrinkles from setting into
these items.
KNITS/GENTLE REGULAR Cycle
A cycle that gently washes
and spins moderately soiled
;M$zate items and washable
KNITS/GENTLE LIGHT Cycle
I I
A cycle that gently washes
and spins lightly soiled
;;4iszate items and washable

Other operating instructions
For a rinse and spin For a drain and spin
You may need an extra rinse and
spin for heavily soiled loads which
need more detergent. (Extra de-
teraent can require an extra rinse.)
l PGsh Control Knob in.
l Turn clockwise to any .on the dial.
See above drawing.
l Pull Control Knob out.
l The washer will fill to selected
level; agitate 2 minutes; drain
and spin.
Your washer can be set to drain
and spin out water.
l Push Control Knob in.
l Turn clockwise to the bar just before
OFF in any cycle. See above
drawing.
l Pull Control Knob out.
l The washer will drain and spin
For agitation and spin speeds in each cycle,see pages 6-9.
Cleaning the lint filter
Clean filter after every load for best
filtering results. Note: The load type
will vary the amount of lint build-up.
To clean:
l Lift off the agitator barrel.
l Wash or wipe the filter clean in the
bottom of the agitator barrel. The
filter is not removable.
l Replace the agitator barrel and
snap into place.
10

I
I
I
Liquid bleach dispenser
Always measure bleach. Do not
guess. Never use more than 1 cup
(250 ml) for a full load. Use less with
lower water level settings. Follow
directions on bottle for safe use. Use
a cup with a pouring spout to avoid
spilling.
For more information on bleaching, see”Laundry Guide” page 11.
1. Load the washer first.
2. Pour measured bleach carefully
into dispenser. DO NOT let bleach
splash, drip or run down into the
washer basket. Undiluted bleach
will damage any fabric it touches.
3. Start the washer. Bleach will be
diluted automatically during the
wash part of the cycle.

I II
Caring for your washer
WHEN NOT WASHING, keep both
water faucets turned off. This takes
the pressure off the water inlet valve
and hoses.
REMOVE SHARP OBJECTS such as pins,
buckles, etc., from clothes before
washing. Close metal zippers.
AFTER WASHING, use a soft dry cloth
to wipe the outside and inside dry.
Leave the lid up until the basket is dry.
Wipe up spills right away. Spills can
dull or damage the finish.
SHARP OR HEAVY OBJECTS should
never be put on or in the washer.
Check pockets for bolts, nuts,
tools, etc.
SOME PRETREATMENT PRODUCTS
can damage washer and dryer dials,
consoles and finishes. Do not use
these products on or near your
washer or dryer.
12

Winterizing
Because some water stays in the washer, freez-
ing can cause a lot of damage. If your washer is
I
stored or moved during the cold weather.,
1. Shut off both water 2. Put a quart of
faucets. Discon- automobile-type
nect and drain antifreeze in the
water inlet hoses. basket.
ON
3. Set the washer for a
DRAIN and SPIN
[see page 10). Let it
run for about 30
seconds to mix the
antifreeze and
water.
To use the washer again.. .
4. Run the washer
through a com-
plete cycle with
one cup of deter-
gent to clean out
1. Flush water pipes and hoses.
2. Connect hoses to the washer. the antifreeze
3. Turn on the water faucets.
13

If you need service or assistance, we suggest
you follow these four steps:
1. Before calling for assistance.. .
Performance problems often
result from little things you can find
and fix yourself without tools of any
kind.
IF YOUR WASHER DOES NOT FILL:
l Is the power supply cord plugged
into a live circuit with the proper
voltage?
l Have you checked your home’s
main fuses or circuit breaker box?
l Are the water supply hoses
kinked?
l Isthe Cycle Control Knob set and
pulled out?
IF YOUR WASHER DOES NOT SPIN:
l Is the lid closed?
l Is the power supply cord plugged
into a live circuit with the proper
voltage?
l Have you checked your home’s
main fuses or circuit breaker box?
IF YOUR WASHER STOPS
DURING A CYCLE:
l Remember, the washer pauses
briefly at differenttimes in each
cycle. These pauses are normal.
IF WASHER FILLS AND DRAINS
WITHOUT RUNNING:
l Make sure that the Cycle Control
Knob is pointing 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 Water can siphon out. [See “ln-
stallation Instructions:‘]
l Are both water faucets open?
14

2. If you need assistance*. . .
Call Whirlpool COOL-LINE@ serv-
ice assistance telephone number.
Dial free from:
Continental U.S. . (BOO] 253-1301
Michigan . . . . . . . [phone]
Alaska & Hawaii [phone]
and talk with one of ourtrained Con-
sultants. The Consultant can instruct
you in how to obtain satisfactory op-
eration from your appliance or, If
service is necessary, recommend a
qualified service company in your
area.
3. If you need service*. ..
A
WhirlDool has
a nationwide net-
’ work of franchised
( TECH-CARE@ Serv-
7sw-CARE ice Companies.
~FRAHCHlSEOSERWCE
( TECH-CAREserv-
ice technicians are trained to fulfill
the product warranty and provide
after-warranty service,anywhere in
the United States. To locate TECH-
CARE service in your area, call our
COOL-LINE service assistance tele-
phone number [see Step 2) or look in
your telephone directory Yellow
Pages under,
4. If you have a problem*. ..
Call our COOL-LINE service as-
sistance telephone number [see
Step 2) and talk with one of our Con-
sultants, or if you prefer, write to:
Mr. Stephen E.Upton
Senior Vice President
Whirlpool Corporation
Administrative Center
2000 US-33, North
Benton Harbor, Ml 49022
‘If you must call or write, please pro-
vide: model number, serial number,
date of purchase, and a complete
description of the problem. This in-
formation is needed in order to bet-
ter respond to your request for
assistance.
0
FSP IS a reglslered trademark
of WhIrlpool Corporation for
FSP
quality parts took for this
symbol of quality whenever
63 you need a replacement port
for your WhIrlpool appliance
FSP replacement parts
WIII fit right and work right. because they are
made to the same exacting speclflcotlons
used to build every new WhIrlpool apphance

Home I Appliances
Making your world a llttle easier.
Part No. 387420
01985 Whirlpool Corporation Printed in U.S.A.