GE 473 Owner’s Manual

GE Appliances

Dryers

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Sécheuses

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Secadoras

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Type 473

Type 475

Owner’s Manual Manuel d’utilisation Manual del propietario

English section begins on page 2 La section française commence à la page 16 La sección en español empieza en la página 30

Part No. 175D1807P245 Pub. No. 49-9974

3–98 CG

GE Answer Center ®800.626.2000

500A295P022

Safety Information

. . . .3–5

Operating Instructions

Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Reversing The Door . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Loading and Using The Dryer . . . .9

Venting The Dryer . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Troubleshooting Tips

Before You Call For Service

. . .11, 12

Customer Service

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Service Telephone

Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips

Congratulations! You Are Now Part of the GE Family.

Welcome to the GE family. We’re proud of our quality products and we are committed to providing dependable service. You’ll see it in this easy-to-use Owner’s Manual and you’ll hear it in the friendly voices of our customer service department.

Best of all, you’ll experience these values each time you use your dryer. That’s important, because your new dryer will be part of your family for many years. And we hope you will be part of ours for a long time to come.

We thank you for buying GE. We appreciate your purchase, and hope you will continue to rely on us whenever you need quality appliances for your home.

GE & You, A Service Partnership.

FOR YOUR RECORDS

Write the model and serial numbers here:

# #

They are on the label on the front of the dryer behind the door.

Inside you will find many helpful hints on how to use and maintain your dryer properly. Just a little preventive care on your part can save you a great deal of time and money over the life of your dryer.

You’ll find many answers to common problems in the

Before You

Call For Service

section. If you review our chart of

Troubleshooting Tips

first, you may not need to call for service at all.

READ THIS MANUAL

PROPER VENTING

For the best drying performance the dryer needs to be properly vented. The dryer will use more energy and run longer if it is not vented to the specifications outlined in the

Venting the Dryer

section in

this manual and the

Exhausting

section in the Installation Instructions.

IF YOU NEED SERVICE

If you do need service, you can relax knowing help is only a phone call away. A list of toll-free customer service numbers is included in the back section. Or,

in the U.S.,

you can always call the GE Answer

Center® at 800.626.2000, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In Canada,

call 1-800-361-3400.

IMPORTANT!

Staple sales slip or cancelled check here.

Proof of the original purchase date is needed to obtain service under the warranty.

■Properly ground dryer to conform with all

governing codes and ordinances. Follow details in Installation Instructions.

■Install or store where it will not be exposed to

temperatures below freezing or exposed to the weather.

■Connect to a properly rated, protected and sized

power supply circuit to avoid electrical overload.

■Remove all sharp packing items and dispose of all

shipping materials properly.

Exhaust/Ducting:

Gas dryers

MUST

be exhausted to the outside.

Exhausting electric dryers to the outside is

strongly recommended

to prevent large amounts of moisture and lint from being blown into the room.

Use only rigid metal or flexible metal 4² diameter ductwork inside the dryer cabinet or for exhausting to the outside.

USE OF PLASTIC OR OTHER COMBUSTIBLE DUCTWORK CAN CAUSE A FIRE. PUNCTURED DUCTWORK CAN CAUSE A FIRE IF IT COLLAPSES OR BECOMES OTHERWISE RESTRICTED IN USE OR DURING INSTALLATION.

For complete details, follow the Installation Instructions.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act

This act requires the governor of California to publish a list of substances known to the state to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm and requires businesses to warn customers of potential exposure to such substances.

Gas appliances can cause minor exposure to four of these substances, namely benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and soot, caused primarily by the incomplete combustion of natural gas or LP fuels.

Properly adjusted dryers will minimize incomplete combustion. Exposure to these substances can be minimized further by properly venting the dryer to the outdoors.

PROPER INSTALLATION

This dryer must be properly installed and located in accordance with the Installation Instructions before it is used. If you did not receive an Installation Instructions sheet, you can receive one by calling us toll-free at the GE Answer Center

, 800.626.2000.

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Instructions

WARNING!

For your safety, the information in this manual must be followed to minimize the risk of fire or explosion, electric shock, or to prevent property damage, personal injury, or death.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS:

Do not try to light a match, or cigarette, or

turn on any gas or electrical appliance.

Do not touch any electrical switch; do not

use any phone in your building.

Clear the room, building or area of all

occupants.

Immediately call your gas supplier from a

neighbor’s phone. Follow the gas supplier’s instructions carefully.

If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call

the fire department.

■

Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable vapors and liquids in the vicinity of this or any other appliance.

■

Installation and service must be performed by a qualified installer, service agency or the gas supplier.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

WARNING!

YOUR LAUNDRY AREA

■ Keep the area underneath and around your

appliances free of combustible materials (lint, paper, rags, etc.), gasoline, chemicals, and other flammable vapors and liquids.

■ Keep the floor around your appliances clean and

dry to reduce the possibility of slipping.

■ Close supervision is necessary if this appliance is

used by or near children. Do not allow children to play on, with, or inside this or any other appliance.

■ Keep all laundry aids (such as detergents,

bleaches, etc.) out of the reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet. Observe all warnings on container labels to avoid injury.

■ Never climb on or stand on the dryer top.

WHEN USING YOUR DRYER

■ Never reach into the dryer while the drum is

moving. Before loading, unloading or adding clothes, wait until the drum has completely stopped.

■ Clean the lint filter before each load to prevent

lint accumulation inside the dryer or in the room.

DO NOT OPERATE THE DRYER WITHOUT THE LINT FILTER IN PLACE.

■ Do not wash or dry articles that have been

cleaned in, washed in, soaked in, or spotted with combustible or explosive substances (such as wax, oil, paint, gasoline, degreasers, dry-cleaning solvents, kerosene, etc.) which may ignite or explode. Do not add these substances to the wash water. Do not use or place these substances around your washer or dryer during operation.

■ Any article on which you have used a cleaning

solvent or that contains flammable materials (such as cleaning cloths, mops, towels used in beauty salons, restaurants, or barber shops, etc.) must not be placed in or near the dryer until solvents or flammable materials have been removed. There are many highly flammable items used in homes such as acetone, denatured alcohol, gasoline, kerosene, some household cleaners, some spot removers, turpentines, waxes, wax removers and products containing petroleum distillates.

■ The laundry process can reduce the flame

retardancy of fabrics. To avoid such a result, carefully follow the garment manufacturer’s care instructions.

■ Do not dry articles containing rubber, plastic,

foam, or similar materials such as padded bras, tennis shoes, galoshes, bath mats, rugs, bibs, baby pants, plastic bags, pillows, etc., that may melt or burn. Some rubber materials, when heated, can under certain circumstances produce fire by spontaneous combustion.

■ Do not store plastic, paper or clothing that may

burn or melt on top of the dryer during operation.

■ Garments labeled

Dry Away from Heat

Not Tumble Dry

(such as life jackets containing

Kapok) must not be put in your dryer.

■ Do not dry fiberglass articles in your dryer.

Skin irritation could result from the remaining particles that may be picked up by clothing during subsequent dryer uses.

■ To minimize the possibility of electric shock,

unplug this appliance from the power supply or disconnect the dryer at the household distribution panel by removing the fuse or switching off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or cleaning (except the removal and cleaning of the lint filter).

NOTE:

Turning the Cycle Selector knob

to an

OFF

position does

NOT

disconnect the

appliance from the power supply.

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips

WHEN NOT USING YOUR DRYER

■ Grasp the plug firmly when disconnecting this

appliance to avoid damage to the cord while pulling. Place the cord away from traffic areas so it will not be stepped on, tripped over or subjected to damage.

■

Do not attempt to repair or replace any part of this appliance or attempt any servicing unless specifically recommended in this Owner’s Manual or in published user-repair instructions that you understand and have the skills to carry out.

■ Before discarding a dryer, or removing it from

service, remove the dryer door to prevent children from hiding inside.

■ Do not tamper with controls.

■ Never attempt to operate this appliance if it is

damaged, malfunctioning, partially disassembled, or has missing or broken parts, including a damaged cord or plug.

■ The interior of the machine and the exhaust duct

connection inside the dryer should be cleaned at least once a year by a qualified technician. See the

Loading and Using the Dryer

section.

■ If yours is a gas dryer, it is equipped with an

automatic electric ignition and does not have a pilot light.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LIGHT WITH A

MATCH.

Burns may result from having your hand in the vicinity of the burner when the automatic ignition turns on.

■ You may wish to soften your laundered fabrics

or reduce the static electricity in them by using a dryer-applied fabric softener or an anti-static conditioner. We recommend you use either a fabric softener in the wash cycle, according to the manufacturer’s instructions for those products, or try a dryer-added product for which the manufacturer gives written assurance on the package that their product can be safely used in your dryer. Service or performance problems caused by use of these products are the responsibility of the manufacturers of those products and are not covered under the warranty to this appliance.

Read and follow this Safety Information carefully.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Instructions

IMPORTANT: Clean the lint filter each time you use the dryer.

Fabric Care

COTTONS For regular to heavy cottons.

REG. HEAT

EASY CARE For synthetics, blends, delicates and items labeled

permanent press.

MED. HEAT

FLUFF For

fluffing

items without heat. Use the

TIMED DRY

cycle.

NO HEAT

EASY CARE For delicates, synthetics and items labeled

tumble dry low.

DELICATES

LOW HEAT

Drying Cycles

— Automatic cycles automatically determine fabric dryness. Select

MORE DRY

for heavier

fabrics,

LESS DRY

for lighter fabrics. Timed cycles run for the selected time.

COTTONS For cottons and most linens. For most loads select the Preferred Regular Setting marked with an *.

AUTOMATIC

EASY CARE For synthetic blends and delicates.

AUTOMATIC

PERM PRESS/

DELICATES

TIMED DRY Set the Cycle Selector at the desired drying time.

DAMP DRY For leaving items partially dry.

DEWRINKLE For removing wrinkles from items that are clean and dry or that are very lightly damp.

Start

— Close the dryer door. Select

START.

Opening the door during operation will stop the dryer. To

restart the dryer, close the door and select

START

to complete the cycle.

About the dryer control panel.

Control Settings

You can locate your model number on the label on the front of the dryer behind the door.

Throughout this manual, features and appearance may vary from your model.

START

LESS DRY

COOL DOWN

EXTRA CARE

80 MIN

DAMP DRY

DEWRINKLE

MORE DRY

TIMED DRY

LESS DRY

EXTRA CARE

FABRIC CARE

EASY CARE DELICATES

LOW HEAT

COTTONS

REG. HEAT

EASY CARE MED. HEAT

FLUFF

NO HEAT

EXTRA CARE

OFF

SET

SIGNAL

OFF

LOUD

MEDIUM

COTTONS

AUTOMATIC

EASY CARE

AUTOMATIC

PERM PRESS/DELICATES

SensorDry

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips

NOTE: Drying times will vary according to the type of heat used (Electric, Natural or LP gas), size of load, types of fabrics, wetness of clothes and condition of exhaust ducts.

Optional Feature,

on some models

About your dryer features.

Extra Care

Use this option to minimize the wrinkles in clothes. It provides approximately 15 minutes of no-heat tumbling after the clothes are dry.

This option can only be used with the Automatic cycles.

If you are using the

END OF CYCLE SIGNAL

and you select the

EXTRA CARE

option, a signal will sound at the end of the drying time and several times during the

EXTRA

CARE

cycle. This will remind you that it is

time to remove the clothes.

SensorDry (on some models)

This feature is only activated in the automatic cycles.

As the clothes tumble they touch a large sensor. The

SensorDry

feature will stop the heating cycle as soon as the clothes have reached the selected dryness.

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Instructions

Color Logic

Select the correct

FABRIC CARE

setting. Match the particular color below the words with the same color on the Cycle Dial.

Example: Drying a load of clothing labeled permanent press.

Choose the

FABRIC CARE

setting

-—for

this load it would be the

EASY CARE

MED.

HEAT

(which is a particular color).

Turn the Cycle Dial to the area that has the same color as the

FABRIC CARE

setting you have chosen—for this load it would be the

EASY CARE AUTOMATIC.

SensorDry

EXTRA CARE

OFF

SET

About your dryer features.

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips

End of Cycle Signal (on some models)

This signal will sound just before the end of the cycle to remind you to remove the clothes. The signal sound level can be adjusted.

If you selected the

EXTRA CARE

option the signal will sound at the end of the drying time and will sound several times during the

EXTRA CARE

cycle. This will remind you

that it is time to remove the clothes.

NOTE:

■

Remove garments promptly at the sound of the signal. Place clothes on hangers so wrinkles won’t set in.

■

Use the END OF CYCLE SIGNAL especially when drying fabrics like polyester knits and permanent press. These fabrics should be removed so wrinkles won’t set in.

SIGNAL

OFF

LOUD

MEDIUM

Drum Lamp

Before replacing the light bulb, be sure to unplug the dryer power cord or disconnect the dryer at the household distribution panel by removing the fuse or switching off the circuit breaker. Reach above dryer

opening

from inside the drum. Remove the

bulb and

replace with the same size bulb.

Drying Rack

A handy drying rack may be used for drying articles such as stuffed toys, pillows or washable sweaters.

Hook the rack over the lint filter so the rack extends into the dryer drum.

NOTE:

■ The drying rack must be used with the

TIMED CYCLE.

■ Do not use this drying rack when there are

other clothes in the dryer.

About reversing the door.

Reversing the Door

Tools needed:

■

Standard #2

■

Tape-tipped

■

Needle-nosed

Phillips screwdriver putty knife pliers

Open the door and remove the filler plugs opposite the hinges. With the door

completely open, remove the bottom screw from each hinge on the dryer face. Insert these screws about half way into the

TOP

holes, for each hinge, on the opposite side (where you removed the filler plugs). Apply firm pressure to get the screw started in untapped holes.

Loosen top screw from each hinge on the dryer face half way. With one hand holding

the top of the door and the other hand holding the bottom, remove the door from the dryer by lifting it

and

OUT.

Rotate the door 180°. Insert it on the opposite side of the opening by moving the door

and

DOWN

until the top hinge and the bottom hinge are resting on the top screws

inserted in step 1.

Remove the remaining screws from the side of the opening from which the door was

removed. With these screws secure each hinge at the bottom. Tighten the two top screws of each hinge. Reinsert the plastic plugs on the side from which the door was removed.

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Instructions

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips

Loading and using the dryer.

Always follow the fabric manufacturer’s care label when laundering.

Sorting and Loading Hints

As a general rule, if clothes are sorted properly for the washer, they are sorted properly for the dryer.

Do not add fabric softener sheets once the load has become warm. They may cause fabric softener stains.

Do not overload. This wastes energy and causes wrinkling. Do not dry the following items: fiberglass items, woolens, rubber-coated items, plastics, items with plastic trim and

foam-filled items.

The Exterior:

Wipe or dust any spills or washing compounds with a damp cloth. Dryer control panel and finishes may be damaged by some laundry pretreatment soil and stain remover products. Apply these products away from the dryer. The fabric may then be washed and dried normally. Damage to your dryer caused by these products is not covered by your warranty.

The Lint Filter:

Clean the lint filter before each use. Moisten your fingers and reach into the filter opening. Run your fingers

across the filter. Have a

qualified

technician vacuum the lint from the dryer

once a year.

The Exhaust Duct:

Inspect and clean the exhaust ducting at least once a year to prevent clogging. A partially clogged exhaust can lengthen the drying time.

Follow these steps:

Turn off electrical supply by disconnecting the plug from the wall socket.

Disconnect the duct from the dryer. Vacuum the duct with the hose attachment and

reconnect the duct.

The Exhaust Hood:

Check with a mirror that the inside flaps of the hood move freely when operating. Make sure that there is not wildlife (birds, insects, etc.) nesting inside the duct or hood.

Care and Cleaning of the Dryer

Fabric Care Labels

Machine wash cycle

Normal

Permanent Press/

wrinkle resistant

Gentle/

delicate

Hand wash

Do not wash Do not wring

Water temperature

Hot

(50¡C/120¡F)

Warm

(40¡C/105¡F)

Cold/cool

(30¡C/85¡F)

Tumble dry

Dry

Normal

Permanent Press/

wrinkle resistant

Gentle/

delicate

Do not tumble dry

Do not dry (used with

do not wash)

Heat setting

High

Medium

Low

No heat/air

Special instructions

Line dry/

hang to dry

Drip dry

Dry flat

In the shade

Bleach symbols

Any bleach

(when needed)

Only non-chlorine bleach

(when needed)

Do not bleach

Below are fabric care label “symbols” that affect the clothing you will be laundering.

WASH LABELS

DRY LABELS

BLEACH LABELS

Venting the dryer.

For the best drying performance the dryer needs to be properly vented.

The dryer will use more energy and run longer if it is not vented to the below specifications. Carefully follow the details on Exhausting in the Installation Instructions.

■Use only rigid metal or flexible metal 4² diameter

ductwork inside the dryer cabinet or for exhausting to the outside.

■Do not use plastic or other combustible ductwork.

■Use the shortest length possible.

■Do not crush or collapse.

■Avoid resting the duct on sharp objects.

■

Venting must conform to local building codes.

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Instructions

Correct Venting

Incorrect Venting

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips

Before you call for service…

Problem Possible Causes What To Do

Dryer doesn’t start

Dryer is unplugged • Make sure the dryer plug is pushed completely into

the outlet.

Fuse is blown/circuit breaker is • Check the house fuse/circuit breaker box and tripped replace fuse or reset breaker.

NOTE:

Most electric

dryers use two fuses/breakers.

Dryer doesn’t heat

Fuse is blown/circuit breaker is • Check the house fuse/circuit breaker box and tripped, the dryer may tumble replace fuse or reset breaker. but not heat

Gas service is off • Make sure gas shutoff at dryer and main shutoff are

fully open.

Dryer shakes or makes

Some shaking/noise is normal. • Move dryer to an even floor space, or adjust

noise

Dryer may be sitting unevenly leveling legs as necessary until even.

Greasy spots on clothes

Improper use of fabric softener • Follow directions on fabric softener package. Drying dirty items with clean ones • Use your dryer to dry only clean items. Dirty items can

stain clean items and the dryer.

Clothes were not completely clean • Sometimes stains which cannot be seen when the

clothes are wet

appear

after drying. Use proper

washing procedures before drying.

Lint on clothes

Lint filter is full • Clean lint screen before each load. Improper sorting • Sort lint producers (like chenille) from lint collectors

(like corduroy).

Static electricity can attract lint • See suggestions in this section under

STATIC.

Overloading • Separate large loads into smaller ones. Paper, tissue, etc., left in pockets • Empty all pockets before laundering clothes.

Static occurs

Overdrying • Try a fabric softener.

• Adjust controls for less drying.

No fabric softener was used • Try a fabric softener. Synthetics, permanent press and • Try a fabric softener.

blends can cause static

Inconsistent drying times

Type of heat • Automatic drying times will vary according to the type

of heat used (electric, natural or LP gas), size of load, types of fabrics, wetness of clothes and condition of exhaust ducts.

Troubleshooting Tips Save time and money! Review the charts on the following pages first and you may not need to call for service.

Operating InstructionsSafety Instructions Customer ServiceTroubleshooting Tips

Problem Possible Causes What To Do

Clothes take too long

Improper sorting •Separate heavy items from lightweight items (generally,

to dry

a well-sorted washer load is a well-sorted dryer load).

Large loads of heavy fabrics (like • Large, heavy fabrics contain more moisture and take beach towels) longer to dry. Separate large, heavy fabrics into smaller

loads to speed drying time.

Controls improperly set • Match control settings to the load you are drying. Lint filter is full • Clean lint filter before every load. Improper or obstructed ducting • Check installation instructions for proper

ducting/venting.

• Make sure ducting is clean, free of kinks and

unobstructed.

• Check to see if outside wall damper operates easily.

• Check the Installation Instructions to make sure the dryer

venting is correct.

Blown fuses or tripped circuit • Replace fuses or reset circuit breakers. Since most breaker dryers use 2 fuses/breakers, make sure both are

operating.

Overloading/combining loads • Do not put more than one washer load in the dryer at

a time.

Underloading • If you are drying only one or two items, add a few items to

ensure proper tumbling.

Clothes are wrinkled

Overdrying • Select a shorter drying time.

• Remove items while they still hold a slight amount of

moisture.

Letting items sit in dryer after •Remove items when cycle ends and fold or hang cycle ends immediately.

Clothes shrink

Some fabrics will naturally shrink • To avoid shrinkage, follow garment care labels exactly. when washed. Others can be safely washed, but will shrink

• Some items may be pressed back into shape after drying.

in the dryer

• If you are concerned about shrinkage in a particular item,

do not machine wash or tumble dry it.

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips

GE Dryer Warranty

(For customers in the United States)

All warranty service provided by our Factory Service Centers, or an authorized Customer Care

technician. For service, call 800-GE-CARES.

This warranty is valid only in the United States. Warranty may vary in Canada. See your approved Profile dealer for details.

For The Period Of: GE Will Replace, At No Charge To You:

One Year Any part

of the dryer which fails due to a defect in materials or workmanship. During this

full

From the date of the one-year warranty,

GE will also provide,

free of charge,

all labor and in-home service to replace the

original purchase

defective part.

Five Years Any extra large or super capacity dryer drum

which fails due to a defect in materials or

From the date of the

workmanship. During this

five-year limited warranty,

you will be responsible for any labor or

original purchase

in-home service costs.

■Service trips to your home to teach you how to use the

product.

■Improper installation.

■Failure of the product if it is abused, misused, or used for

other than the intended purpose or used commercially.

■Replacement of house fuses or resetting of circuit

breakers.

■Damage to the product caused by accident, fire, floods or

acts of God.

■Incidental or consequential damage to personal property

caused by possible defects with this appliance.

What GE Will Not Cover:

This warranty is extended to the original purchaser and any succeeding owner for products purchased for home use within the USA. In Alaska, the warranty excludes the cost of shipping or service calls to your home.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. To know what your legal rights are, consult your local or state consumer affairs office or your state’s Attorney General.

Warrantor: General Electric Company. Louisville, KY 40225

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