Kenmore Elite 253, Elite 970 Series Use & Care Manual

E L I T E

®

Side by Side Refrigerator

Use & Care Guide

Lado a Lado Refrigerador

Guia para su uso y cuidado

Compartiments C6te _ C6te

Guide d'utiiisation et d'entretien

R_frig_rateur

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, iL 60179 U.S.A.

Sears Canada, inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2B8

www.sears.com

241599503 (0606)

m

Welcome &

n

Co gratulations

Congratulations on your purchase of a new refrigerator! We
here at Sears are very proud of our product and we are

completely committed to providing you with the best
service possible. Your satisfaction is our #1 priority.

We know you'll enjoy your new refrigerator and ThankYou
for choosing our product. We hope you consider us for
future purchases.

PLEASE READ AND SAVE THESE

INSTRUCTIONS
This Owner's Guide provides specific operating

instructionsfor your model. Use your refrigerator only as
instructed in this manual. These instructions are not meant

to cover every possible condition and situation that may
occur. Common sense and caution must be practiced
when installing,operating and maintaining any appliance.

Please record your model and serial numbers below

for future reference.This information is found on the
serial plate located inside the refrigerator

compartment.

NOTE: Use on!y soap and water to clean seria! plate

Model Number: 253

or: 970

Serial Number:

Purchase Date:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Record Serial/Model Numbers ............ 2

Safety .................................................. 2-3

Warranty .............................................. 3

Protection Agreements ........................ 4

Installation ........................................... 5-6

Door Removal Instructions ................. 7

Features At A Glance ......................... 8

Temperature Controls .......................... 9

Looking Inside ..................................... 10-12

Automatic Ice & Water Dispenser ....... 13-16

Rear Ice and Water Filter ..................... 16

Food Storage & Energy Saving Tips ... 17

Normal Operating Sounds & Sights .... 18

Care & Cleaning .................................. 19-20

Before You Call .................................... 21-24

Important Safety

Instructions

Please Read All instructions Before
UsingThis Refrigerator.

FOR YOUR SAFETY

• Do not store or use gasoline, or other flammable liquids
inthe vicinity of this or any other appliance. Read product
labels for warnings regarding flammability and other

hazards.

• Do not operate the refrigerator inthe presence of
explosive fumes.

• Avoid contact with any moving parts of automatic ice
maker.

Remove all staples from the carton. Staples can cause
severe cuts, and also destroy finishes if they come in
contact with other appliances or furnitu re.

CHILD SAFETY
Destroy or recycle the carton, plastic bags, and any

exterior wrapping material immediately after the refrigerator
is unpacked. Children should NEVER use these items to

play. Cartons covered with rugs, bedspreads, plastic
sheets or stretch wrap may become airtight chambers,
and can quickly cause suffocation.

PROPER DISPOSAL OF YOUR REFRIGERATOR
OR FREEZER

Risk of child entrapment .........

Child entrapment and suffocation
are not problems of the past.
Junked or abandoned refrigerators
or freezers are still dangerous -
even if they will sit for "just a few
days." Ifyou are getting rid of your
old refrigerator or freezer, please

follow the instructions below to
help prevent accidents.

Before you throw away your old refrigerator/freezer:

• Remove doors.
Leave shelves in place so children may not easily climb

inside.
Have refrigerant removed by a qualified service

technician.

KENMORE ELITE APPLIANCE WARRANTY

One Year Limited Warranty

These Guidelines Must Be FollowedToEnsuteThat When installed, operated and maintained according to all
Safety Mechanism s InThis RefrigeratorWill Operate instructions supplied with the product, if this appliance fails

Properly. due to a defect in material or workmanship within one year

from the date of purchase, call 1-800-4-MY-HOME ® to

ELECTRICAL INFORMATION

• The refrigerator must be plugged into its own
dedicated 115 Volt, 60 Hz., AC only electric outlet.
The power cord of the appliance is equipped with a
three-prong grounding plug for your protection against

electrical shock hazards. It must be plugged directly
intoa properly grounded three-prong receptacle. The
receptacle must be installed in accordance with local

codes and ordinances. Consult a qualified electrician.

Do not use an extension cord or adapter plug.

• Immediately repair or replace any power cord that

becomes frayed or damaged.

• Never unplug the refrigerator by pulling on the power
cord. Always grip the plug firmly, and pull straight out
from the receptacle to prevent damaging the power cord.

• Unplug the refrigerator before cleaning and before

replacing a light bulb to avoid electrical shock.

• Performance may be affected ifthe voltage varies by

10% or more. Operating the refrigerator with insufficient
power can damage the compressor. Such damage is
not covered under you rwarranty.

• Do not plug the unit into an outlet controlled by a wall
switch or pull cord to prevent the refrigerator from being
turned off accidentally.

• Avoid connecting refrigerator to a Ground Fault Interrupter

(GFI) circuit.

IMPORTANT: Turning the Freezerand Fresh Food
Controls to 0 turns off the compressor and prevents
your refrigerator from cooling, but does not disconnect

the power to the light bu!b and other electrical
components, To turn off power tO your refrigerator, you

arrange for free repair.
FULL FIVE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY ON SEALED

REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

For five years from the date of purchase, when this
appliance is installed,operated, and maintained
according to the instructions supplied with it, Sears will

repair the sealed system (consisting of refrigerant,
connecting tubing, and compressor), free of charge, if
defective in material or workmanship.

If this appliance is used for other than private family pur-
poses, this warranty applies for only 90 days from the date of
purchase.

This warranty covers only defects in material and
workmanship. Sears will NOT pay for:

1. Expendable items that can wear out from normal use,
including but not limited to filters, belts, light bulbs and
bags.

2. A service technician to instruct the user in correct product
installation, operation or maintenance.

3. A service technician to clean or maintain this product.

4. Damage to or failure of this product if it is not installed,
operated or maintained according to all instructions

supplied with the product.

5. Damage to or failure of this product resulting from
accident, abuse, misuse or use for other than its
intended purpose.

6. Damage to or failure of this product caused by the use of
detergents, cleaners, chemicals or utensils
other than those recommended in all instructions

supplied with the product.

7. Damage to or failure of parts or systems resulting from
unauthorized modifications made to this product.

Disclaimer of implied warranties; limitation of remedies
Customer's sole and exclusive remedy under this limited

must unplug the power cord from the wall receptacle, warranty shall be product repair as provided

any circumstances,

Powercord with
3-pr0ng grounded p!ug

herein. Implied warranties, including warranties of merchant-
ability or fitness for a particular purpose, are limited to one

year or the shortest period allowed by law. Sears shall not be
liable for incidental or consequential damages. Some states
and provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, or limitations on the
duration of implied warranties of merchantability or fitness,

so these exclusions or limitations may not apply to you.
This warranty applies only while this appliance is used in the

United States and Canada.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may

also have other rights which vary from state to state.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Dept. 817WA, Hoffman Estates,

IL 60179
Sears Canada Inc.,Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2B8

In the U.S.A.

Master Protection Agreements

Congratulations on making a smart purchase. Your new

Kenmore Elite®product is designed and manufactured for

years of dependable operation. But like all products, it may

require preventive maintenance or repair from time to time.

That's when having a Master Protection Agreement can save
you money and aggravation.

Purchase a Master Protection Agreement now and protect

yourself from unexpected hassle and expense.

The Master Protection Agreement also helps extend the life
of your new appliance. Here's what's included in the

Agreement:

_" Expert service by our 12,000 professional repair

specialists

d Unlimited service and no charge for parts and labor

on all covered repairs

d "No-lemon" guarantee - replacement of your covered

product if four or more product failures occur within

twelve months

d Product replacement if your covered product can't be

fixed

_" Annual Preventive Maintenance Check at your

request - no extra charge

_" Fast help by phone - phone support from a Sears

technician on products requiring in-home repair, plus
convenient repair scheduling

d Power surge protection against electrical damage due

to power fluctuations

_" Rental reimbursement if repair of your covered product

takes longer than promised

Once you purchase the Agreement, a simple phone call is all
that it takes for you to schedule service. You can call anytime

day or night, or schedule a service appointment online.
Sears has over 12,000 professional repair specialists, who

have access to over 4.5 million quality parts and
accessories. That's the kind of professionalism you can

count on to help prolong the life of your new purchase for
years to come. Purchase your Master Protection Agreement

today!
Some limitations and exclusions apply. For prices and

additional information, call 1-800-827-6655.
Sears Installation Service

For Sears professional installation of home appliances and

items like garage door openers, water heaters, and other
major home items, in the U.S.A. call 1-800-4MY-HOME ®.

In Canada

Maintenance Agreements

Your purchase has added value because you can depend on
Sears HomeCentral ®for service. With over 2400 Service

Technicians and more than a million parts and accessories,
we have the tools, parts, knowledge and skills to back our
pledge:

We Service What We Sell.

Your Kenmore Elite ®product is designed, manufactured and
tested to provide years of dependable operation. But like all

products, it may require service from time to time. The Sears
Maintenance Agreement offers you an outstanding service

program, affordably priced.
The Sears Maintenance Agreement

• Is your way to buy tomorrow's service at today's price.

• Eliminates repair bills resulting from normal wear and
tear.

• Provides phone support from a Sears technician on
products requiring in-home repair.

• Even if you don't need repairs, provides an annual

Preventive Maintenance Check, at your request, to

ensure that your product is in proper running condition.

Some limitations apply. For more information about
concerning Sears Canada Maintenance Agreements, call

1-800-361-6665.

This Owner's Guide provides specific operating
instructions for your model. Use the refrigerator only as
instructed in this Use & Care Manual. Before starting the
refrigerator, follow these important first steps.

LOCATION

• Choose a place that is near a grounded electrical outlet.
Do Not use an extension cord or an adapter plug.

• If possible, place the refrigerator out of direct sunlight
and away from the range, dishwasher or other heat

sources.

• The refrigerator must be installed on a floor that is level
and strong enough to support a fully loaded refrigerator.

• Considerwater supply availability for models equipped
with an automatic ice maker.

To install Toe Grille:

1.

INSTALLATION

DONot instal! the refrigerator where 2.

the temperature wjlJ drop below 55°F (13_C) or rise

above ! IOtF (43°0). Th e compresso r will not be able
to ma ntain proper temperatures inside the
refrigerator.

DoN0tbl0c.thetoeg.,e0nthe

lower front of Yourrefrigerator. Sufficient air circulation 3.

is essential for the proper operation of your

refrigerator.

Installation Clearances

• Allow the following clearances for ease of installation,
proper air circulation, and plumbing and electrical

connections:

Sides & Top 3/8"
Back 1"

DOOR OPENING

NOTE: If you refrigerator isplaced with the door hinge
side against a wa!l, you may have to allow additional

space so the door can be opened wider.

Your refrigerator should be positioned to allow easy access
to a counter when removing food. For best use of drawers
and freezer baskets, the refrigerator should be in a
position where both the refrigerator and freezer doors can
be fully opened.

TOE GRILLE INSTALLATION / REMOVAL

To Remove Toe Grille:

1. Open freezer and fresh food compartment doors.

2. Working from leftside oftoe grille,slipyour fingers between
topoftoegrilleandcabinet.Gently pullforward until firstsetof
tabsarefree.Slideyour handdown pastthefreetabsand pull
forward again untilthesecond set oftabs are free. Continue
this process until all tabs are free and the toe grille can be
removed. (See graphic at top of page in rightcolumn.)

Open freezer and Cabinet _'__
fresh food

%/

compartment doors. = ,_, ;-

Line up toe grille at -,.......

base of refrigerator, ,......................... - _, ,7

making sure the four .... / ..._,

bottom tabsare /_ "'/

at base ofcabinet.restingthrough holes _ __-_"wi'i%_:_ili_...... ' _ '

Starting from left side
of toe grille, press in on first top tab using your thumb
and push toe grille forward until itsnaps in place.
Continue this process until all tabs are snapped in place
and toe grille is secured to refrigerator.

LEVELING

All four corners of your refrigerator must rest firmly on a
solid floor.Your refrigerator is equipped with adjustable
front rollers to help level your unit. To ensure proper door
seal and assist door closing, the refrigerator should be
tilted 1/4" (6 mm), front to back.

To Level Your Refrigerator:

1. Remove toe grille. (See "ToRemove Toe Grille".)

2. Use flat-blade screwdriver or 3/8" socket wrench
to adjust front rollers.

NOTE: The refrigerator doors are designed to shut by

themselves within a 2Odegree opening.

Raise

3. Check both doors to be sure seals touch cabinet on all
four sides.

lftstEtilatiort - Connecting Ice Maker To Water Supply

To avoid electric shock, which can cause death or severe personal injury, disconnect the refrigerator

from electrical power before connecting a water supply line to the refrigerator.

To Avoid Property Damage:

- Copper tubing is recommended for the water supply line.Water supply tubing made of W' plastic is not
recommended since it greatly increases the potential for water leaks. Manufacturer will not be responsible
for any damage if plastic tubing is used for supply line.

• DO NOT install water supplytubing in areas wheretemperatures fall below freezing.

• Chemicals from a malfunctioning softener can damage the ice maker, if the ice maker is connected to soft
water, ensure that the softener is maintained and working properly.

IMPORTANT: Ensure that your water supply line connections comply with all local plumbing codes.

Before Installing The Water Supply Line, You Will Need

• BasicTools: adjustable wrench, fiat-blade screwdriver, and Phillips TM screwdriver

• Access to a household cold water line with water pressure between 30 and t 00 psi.

• A water supply line made of 1Ainch (6.4 ram) OD, copper tubing. Todetermine the length of copper tubing needed,
you will need to measure the distance from the ice maker inlet valve at the back of the refrigerator to your cold water
pipe. Then add approximately 7 feet (2. t meters), so the refrigerator can be moved out for cleaning (as shown).

• A shutoff valve to connect the water supply line to your household water system. DO NOT use a self-piercing type
shutoff valve.

• A compression nut and ferrule (sleeve) for connecting the water supply line to the ice maker inlet valve.

NOTE: A water line kit is available from your appliance dealer at additional cost. It Contains 25 feet (7,6 meters) of _

1

inch OD €opper tubing, a sadd le type shutoff valve (nenpiercing), (2) ¼ inch brass compression nuts; (2) ferru!es/
sleeves, and instructions for installing a water supply line.

To Connect Water Supply Line To Ice Maker Inlet Valve

Plastic Water Tubing

1. Disconnect refrigerator from electric power source, p

2. Place end of water supply line into sink or bucket. Turn ON water supply Brass

and flush supply line until water is clear. Turn OFF water supply at shut Compression
off valve.

3. Unscrew plastic cap from water valve inlet and discard cap.

4. Slide brass compression nut, then ferrule (sleeve) onto water supply line, (Sleeve)
as shown.

5. Push water supply line into water valve inlet as far as it will go (1Ainch).
Slide ferrule (sleeve) into valve inlet and finger tighten compression nut watervalve

onto valve. Tighten another half turn with a wrench; DO NOT over tighten.

6. With steel clamp and screw, secure water supply line to rear panel of •ValveInlet
refrigerator as shown.

Valve

1

7. Coil excess water supply line (about 2Y2turns) behind refrigerator as shown
and arrange coils so they do not vibrate or wear against any other surface.

8. Turn ON water supply at shutoff valve and tighten any connections that
leak. fr0m household water supply

9. Reconnect refrigerator to electrical power sou rce. (Include enough tubing in looptoallow

10. To turn ice maker on, lower wire signal arm (see ice maker front cover for movingrefrigeratorout for cleaning:
ON/OFF position of arm).

IMPORTANT: It takes app[0ximate!y 24 hours for the ice maker to begin producing ice. Air in new plumbing lines may

cause ice maker t° cycle two or thlee times before making a full tray of ice. New plumbing may cause iceto be discolored

or have poor flavor. Discard ice made during the first 24 hour&

Door Removal instructions

._ o_

Tools Necessary

Phi EDS neoc _,!

3/8"
Hxod

Wrench

CoveF

Door

i

/_ Lower

S\ ) I Hinge

TO DISCONNECT

1, Press outer ring against face

remove tube

push until mark touches face of fitting

Before you start:

1 Make sure the electrica power cord is unolugged from the wall outlet.

2 Remove any food from the door shelves.
3 Close the doors.

To remove the hinge cover:

1 Remove the three screws from the cover over the top door hinges.

2 Pull the cover forward about a half inch and lift it off.

To remove the refrigerator door:

1 Trace lightly around the door's top hinge with a pencil. This makes reinstallation

easier.

2 Remove the two screws from the top hinge. Lift the door off of the bottom hinge and

set it aside.

3 Remove the three bottom hinge screws and hinge, if necessary.

To remove the freezer door:

1 Detach the multi-wire cable connector located above the top hinge. Grasp both

sides of the connector firmly and pull apart.

2 Trace lightly around the door's top hinge with a pencil. This makes reinstallation

easier.

3 Detach the water tube from the connector located below the freezer door. The

connector releases when you press its outer sleeve inward.
4 Remove the screws from the top hinge and pull the multi-wire cable through it.
5 Lift the door off of the bottom hinge. Lay the door on its side to avoid damage to the

Remove the three bottom hinge screws and hinge, if necessary.

To reinstall the refrigerator and freezer doors, reverse the above steps.

Freezer and Refrigerator

Controls

ice Cream

SpiliProof TM CAUTION:

g Shelf Do Not Remove

net Behind

-Water Filter Dairy

(Location varies by model) Corn partrnent

Fixed

Door Bin

ice

Half

Door Bin

Large

Fixed

Door Bin

Large

Fixed

Corn partrnent

Rack

SpilISafe TM

g Shelf

item

Rack

Meat Keeper

Cover

Retainer

and Cover

Door Bin

Toe Grille

Features may vary according to model