Maytag MDE3500AZW, MDE3500AYW, MDE3500AYQ Owner’s Manual

ORDER # 33002558

l ]MA TAGUSER'S GUIDE

Congratulations on your purchase of a
Maytag Performa TM dryer! Your satisfaction is
very important to us.

Read this manual for best results. It contains
instructions to acquaint you with proper operating

instructions and maintenance.

Save time and money. If something should go

wrong, we suggest consulting the "Before You Call"

section. It is designed to help you solve basic prob-
lems before consulting a service technician.

If you have questions, write us (include your model

number and phone number) or call:

Maytag Appliances Sales Company
Attn: CAIR ° Center

P.O. Box 2370
Cleveland, TN 37320-2370

1-800-688-9900 USA

1-800-688-2002 CANADA
1-800-688-2080 USA TTY (for deal hearing

impaired, or speech impaired)

(Mon.-Fri., 8am-8pm Eastern Time)

Internet: http://www.maytag.com

Table of Contents

Safety Instructions ............... 1-2

Controls at a Glance .............. 3-4

Operating Tips .................... 5

Care and Cleaning ................. 5

Dryer Exhaust Tips ................ 6

Before You Call .................... 7

Warranty ......................... 8

Guide de L' Utilisateur ............. 10

Guia Del Usuario ................. 19

Part No. 6 3715010-0600 MCS Part No. 33002558

Important Safety Instructions

_k WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire, explosion, electric shock, or personal injury when using your I

dryer follow basic safety precautions, including the following:

some liquid household cleaners, some spot

[k WARNING: For your safety, the

information in this manual must be
followed to minimize the risk of fire or

explosion or to prevent property dam-
age, personal injury or death.

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

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS

• Do not try to light any 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 neighbors phone. Follow the gas sup-
plier's instructions.

• ff you cannot reach your gas supplier,

call the fire departmenL

Installation and service must be per-

formed by a qualified installer, service

agency or the gas supplier.

.

Read all instructions before using the appliance.

2.

To avoid the possibility of fire or explosion:
a. Do not dry items that have been previously

cleaned in, washed in, soaked in, or spotted with
gasoline, dry-cleaning solvents, other flammable

or explosive substances as they give off vapors
that could ignite or explode. Any material on
which you have used a cleaning solvent, or
which is saturated with flammable liquids or
solids, should not be placed in the dryer, until all
traces of these flammable liquids or solids and
their fumes have been removed. There are many
highly flammable items used in homes, such as:

acetone, denatured alcohol, gasoline, kerosene,

removers, turpentine, waxes and wax removers.

b. Items containing foam rubber (may be labeled

latex foam) or similarly textured rubber-like

materials must not be dried on a heat setting.

Foam rubber materials when heated, can under
certain circumstances produce fire by sponta-

neous combustion.

3. Do not allow children to play on or in the appliance.
Close supervision of children is necessary when the

appliance is used near children.

4. Before the appliance is removed from service or dis-
carded, remove the door to the drying compart-

ment.

5. Do not reach into the appliance if the drum is mov-
ing.

6. Do not install or store this appliance where it will be

exposed to the weather.

7. Do not tamper with controls.

8. Do not repair or replace any part of the appliance or

attempt any servicing unless specifically recom-
mended in published user-repair instructions that
you understand and have the skills to carry out.

9. Do not use fabric softeners or products to eliminate
static unless recommended for dryer use by the
manufacturer of the fabric softener or product.

Clean the lint screen before or after each load.10.

11.

Keep the area around the exhaust opening and sur-
rounding areas free from lint accumulation, dust

and dirt.

12.

The interior of the dryer and exhaust duct should
be cleaned periodically by qualified service person-

nel.

13. This appliance must be properly grounded. Never
plug the appliance cord into a receptacle which is
not grounded adequately and in accordance with

local and national codes. See installation instruc-
tions for grounding this appliance.

14. Do not sit on top of the clothes dryer.

Donotplaceintoyourdryeritemsthathavebeen

spottedorsoakedwith vegetableoilorcooking
oil. Evenafterbeingwashed,theseitemsmay

containsignificantamountsof theseoils.The
remainingoil canignite spontaneously.The

potential for spontaneousignition increases
when the items containingvegetableoil or

cookingoil areexposedtoheat.Heatsources,

suchasyour clothesdryer,canwarm these

items,allowinganoxidationreactionin theoil

to occur.Oxidationcreatesheat.If this heat
cannot escape,the items can becomehot

enoughtocatchfire.Piling,stackingor storing
thesekinds of items maypreventheatfrom

escapingandcancreateafirehazard.

All washedandunwashedfabricsthat contain

vegetableoil orcookingoilcanbedangerous.
Washingtheseitemsin hot waterwith extra

detergentwill reduce,but will not eliminate,
thehazard.Alwaysusethe"cooldown"cycle

for theseitemsto reducethe items'tempera-
ture. Never remove theseitems from the

clothesdryerhotor interruptthedryingcycle
until the itemshaverun through the "cool

down" cycle.Neverpile or stacktheseitems
whentheyarehot.

Important Safety
Notice & Warning

The California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic
Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65) requires the

Governor of California to publish a list of substances
known to the State of California to cause cancer or

reproductive harm, and requires businesses to warn

customers of potential exposures to such substances.
Users of this appliance are hereby warned that the

burning of gas can result in low-level exposure to some

of the listed substances, including benzene, formalde-
hyde, and soot, due primarily to the incomplete com-

bustion of natural gas or liquid petroleum (LP) fuels.
Exhaust ducts should be kept free of obstructions and

properly exhausted dryers will minimize exposure.

IMPORTANT: Because of continuing
product improvements, Maytag reserves

the right to change specifications without

notice. For complete details, see the

Installation Instructions packed with your

product before selecting cabinetry, mak-

ing cutouts or beginning installation.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

2

Controls at a Glance

Step _1_
Select Temperature

A;i Fbdf

In order to select the correct temperature, turn the tem-
perature control to one of four choices; Regular,
Medium, Low or Air Fluff.

DRYER TEMPS

Regular

LOAD TYPE

Forsturdycottonsorthoselabeled"Tumble Dry"

Temperature

Medium For permanent press, synthetics, lightweight cottons or items labeled "Tumble Dry

Medium."

Low For heat sensitive items labeled "Tumble Dry Low" or "Tumble Dry Warm."

Air Fluff Tumbles without heat. Used for sensitive loads or items needing freshening.

Step r2_

On Off

Select Signal

End of Cycle Signal

Shortly before the cycle is complete, an audible signal

will sound. During the cool down portion of the Wrinkle

Free Fabrics cycle, the audible signal will sound inter-
mittently.

Signal

Step _3_

Select Cycle

To select a cycle, rotate the control dial to the desired

setting. When using an IntelliDry cycle, the control dial

should point between "More Dry" and "Less Dry" for

most loads.

Loads of larger or bulkier size may require the "More

Dry" setting to completely dry the load. The "Less

Dry" setting is best suited for lightweight fabrics or for

leaving some moisture in the clothing at the end of the

cycle.

IntelliDry Regular Fabrics

The IntelliDry Regular Fabrics cycle is designed to dry

loads such as towels, underwear, t-shirts, jeans, etc.

IntelliDry

Wrinkle Free

Fabrics

Cool Dow,_

Wrinkle Out

IntelliDry

Regular Fabrics

More D_y

Less DL_'

...._ 30

DampD_y Time Dry/

Air Fluff

Step Cont.

IntelliDry Wrinkle Free Fabrics

The IntelliDry Wrinkle Free Fabrics cycle is
designed to dry wrinkle free cottons, synthetic fab-
rics, double knits and permanent press fabrics auto-

matically. It minimizes wrinkling by providing an
unheated cool-down period at the end of the cycle.

Time Dry/Air Fluff

This cycle can be used to regulate the drying time.
Use with Air Fluff, Low, Medium or Regular tem-
perature settings. For timed drying, turn the control

dial until the pointer points to the proper time set-
ting in the Time Dry/Air Fluff cycle.

NOTE: Using the Air Fluff temperature setting will
require a longer drying time.

Step

Press Start

Special Options

Damp Dry is located on the Time Dry/Air Fluff sec-
tion of the dial. It is designed to partially dry items
and can be used with any temperature selection.
Damp Dry will provide 20 minutes of tumbling
time, followed by 5 minutes of cool-down tum-
bling.

Wrinkle Release will release wrinkles from items
that are clean and dry but only slightly wrinkled,

such as from a crowded closet or suitcase, or from sit-
ting in the dryer too long after the cycle has ended.

Wrinkle Release provides 10 minutes of tumbling
followed by five minutes of cool-down tumbling
and can be used with any temperature selection.

Push this button to start the dryer. The dryer door
must be shut for the dryer to operate. If the door is

opened during the cycle, the Start button must be
pushed again to resume the cycle once the door is

closed.

Start

Check the Moisture Monitor...

Indicator lights in the moisture monitor will display
when an IntelliDry cycle is in operation. The top light

will blink on and off. As loads dry, there will be longer
pauses between each blink. No lights will display dur-
ing Time Dry.

The bottom light in the monitor will remain on until the
cool down portion of the cycle starts. During cool down

the dryer continues to tumble the load in unheated air

to help minimize wrinkling.

NOTE: The dial can be turned in either direction to
select a cycle. Once started, the dial will not advance

at a specific rate during the IntelliDry cycles. At first

the dial may not advance at all. Toward the end of the
cycle (when the load begins to dry) the dial will

advance at a more regular rate and much more quick-
ly. This is normal operation.

MOISTURE MONITOR

MORE

LESS

NOTE: The top monitor
light may not blink

when small loads of

heavy, bulky items are
dried, such as large
rugs or sweaters.

4

Operating Tips

Clean the Lint Filter

• After each load.

• To shorten drying time.

• To operate more energy efficiently.

NOTE: Do not operate the dryer
without the lint filter in place.

Load the Dryer Properly

Place only one washload in the dryer at a time.
Mixed loads of heavy and lightweight clothes will

dry differently. Lightweight clothes will dry, while
heavy clothes may be damp.

Add one or more similar items to the dryer when
only one or two articles need drying. This improves

the tumbling action and drying efficiency.
Overloading restricts tumbling action, resulting in

uneven drying as well as excessive wrinkling of

some fabrics.

• When drying large, bulky items such as a blanket or
comforter, it may be necessary to reposition the load

during the cycle to ensure even drying.

Care & Cleaning

Control Panel

Clean with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use abrasive sub-
stances.

Tumbler

Remove any stains such as crayon, ink pen or fabric dye
from new items (such as towels or jeans) with an all-

purpose cleaner. Then tumble old towels or rags to
remove any excess stain or cleaning substance. Once

these steps are done, stains may still be visible, but
should not transfer to subsequent loads.

5

Cabinet

Wipe off any marks with soap and water. Use an appli-
ance wax once a year if desired.

Dryer Exhaust System

Inspect and clean once a year to maintain optimum per-
formance. The outside exhaust hood should be cleaned

more frequently to ensure proper operation. (Refer to
the Installation Instructions for more information.)

Dryer Exhaust Tips

_k WARNING- Plastic or nonmetal flexible duct presents a potential fire hazard.

Do Don't

Read the installation instructions

and the user's guide.

Do

Do

Use 4 inch diameter
rigid metal duct. Tape all joints,

including at the dryer. Never use
lint-trapping screws.

Let a poor exhaust system cause

slow drying.

Don't

Restrict your dryer with
a poor exhaust system.

Don't

Use plastic,
thin foil, or

non-metal
flexible duct.

I II

I

Do

Keep duct runs
as straight as
possible.

I

Do

Clean all old ducts
before installing your new

dryer. Be sure vent flap opens
and closes freely. Inspect and clean
the exhaust system annually.

Don't

Use longer
than necessary

duct runs with
many elbows.

Don't

Allow
crushed or

clogged ducts
and vent.

6

Before You Call

Check the following if your clothes dryer..•

Doesn't Run

• Be sure the door is shut.

• Is the electrical cord plugged in?

• Has a fuse blown or the circuit breaker tripped?

• Push the Start button again if the door was opened during the cycle.

Doesn,t Heat

• Has a fuse blown or the Circuit breaker tripped?

• Select a heat setting, not air fluff.

• Check that the gas supply is on for gas dryers.

• Clean the lint filter and exhaust duct.

• Dryer timer may; haVe moved into the cool-down portion of the cycle.

Doesn't Dry Properly

• Check all of the above, plus...

• Check the exhaust hood outside the house, does it open and close freely?

• Check exhaust system for lint build-up. Ducting should be inspected and cleaned annually.

• Use rigid 4" metal exhaust duct.

• Do not overload. 1 wash load = 1 dryer load.

• Sort heavy items from lightweight items.

• Large, bulky items like blankets or comforters may require repositioning to ensure even drying.

• Check the washer to be sure it is draining properly to extract water from the load.

• Clothes load is too small to tumble properly. Add a few towels

Is Noisy

• Check the load for objects such as coins, nails, etc. Remove promptly from dryer.

It is normal to hear the dryer gas valve or heating element Cycle on and off during the drying CycIe
The dryer should be level and installed on a solid floor:

• Be sure the rubber feet are installed on the leveling legS.

• A clicking noise may be the timer advancingl .....

- It is normal for the dryer to hum due tO the high velocity Of air moving through the dryer drUm and

exhaust system.

Control Knob Advances Slowly

• This is normal operation for an IntelliDry cycle, especially at the beginning of cycle. Once the load
begins to dry, the control knob will start to advance. The rate of advancement will be slow at the begin-

ning of the cycle because there is more moisture in the load. As the load becomes more dry, the control
knob will advance more quickly.

Dries Unevenly

• Seams, pockets and other similar heavy areas may not be completely dry when the reSt of the load has

reached the selected dryness level. This is normal. Select the "More Dry" setting if desire& ....

• If one heavy item is dried with a lightweight load, such as one towel with sheets, it is possible that the

heavy item will not be completely dry when the rest of the load has reached the selected dryness level;
Sort heavy items from ligh_eigl_t items for best drying results.

Has an Odor

Household odors such as from painting, varnishing, strong cleaners, etc. may enter the dryer with the

surrounding room air. This is normal as the dryer draws the air from the room, heats it, pulls it through
the tumbler and exhausts it to the outside. When these odors are present in the air, ventilate the room
completely before using the dryer.

For further assistance contact Maytag Appliances Sales Company, Maytag Customer Assistance:

U.S. 1-800-688-9900 or Canada 1-800-688-2002

U.S. customers using TTY for deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired, call 1-800-688-2080.

7

Maytag Performa TM
Clothes Dryer Warranty

FULL ONE-YEAR WARRANTY

Any part which fails in normal home use during the first year after the date of original retail purchase will
be repaired or replaced free of charge.

This full warranty applies when the appliance is located in the United States or Canada. Appliances locat-
ed elsewhere are warranted as follows: For one year after the date of original retail purchase any part which

fails in normal home use will be repaired or provided free of charge for the part itself with the owner pay-
ing all other costs, including labor, mileage, and transportation.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary from state to

state.

TO OBTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE

To locate an authorized service company in your area contact the Maytag dealer from whom your appliance was pur-
chased; or call Maytag Appliances Sales Company, Maytag Customer Assistance. Should you not receive satisfactory war-
ranty service, please call or write:

Maytag Appliances Sales Company
Attn: CAIR ®Center

RO. Box 2370
Cleveland, TN 37320-2370

U.S. 1-800-688-9900 Canada 1-800-688-2002
U.S. Customers using TTY for deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired, call 1-800-688-2080.

When contacting Maytag Appliances Sales Company, Maytag Customer Assistance about a service problem, please include
the following:

(a) Your name, address and telephone number;
(b) Model number and serial number (found on the front panel of the door opening) of your appliance;
(c) Name and address of your dealer and the date the appliance was purchased;

(d) A clear description of the problem you are having.
(e) Proof of purchase.

What is not covered by these warranties:

1. Conditions and damages resulting from any of the
following:

a. Improper installation, delivery, or maintenance.
b. Any repair, modification, alteration or adjustment

not authorized by the manufacturer or an authorized

servicer.
c. Misuse, abuse, accidents, or unreasonable use.
d. Incorrect electric current, voltage or supply.
e. Improper setting of any control.

2. Warranties are void if the original serial numbers have
been removed, altered, or cannot be readily deter-
mined.

User's Guides, service manuals and parts catalogs are available from Maytag Appliances Sales Company, Maytag Customer Assistance.

3. Light bulbs.

4. Products purchased for commercial or industrial use.

5. The cost of service or service call to:
a. Correct installation errors.

b. Instruct the user on proper use of the product.

c. Transport the appliance to the servicer.

6. Consequential or incidental damages sustained by any
person as a result of any breach of these warranties.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
consequential or incidental damages, so the above exclu-

sion may not apply.

8