Bissell 16n53 Manual

							U S E R ’ S   G U I D E16N5 SERIES
3Safety Instructions
4Product View
5Assembly
6-9 Operation
10-15 Maintenance and Care
16-17Troubleshooting
18Consumer Services
19Replacement Parts  
and Accessories
20Warranty
HEALTHY HOME
VACUUM™

 
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							2
Thank you for buying a BISSELL Healthy Home Vacuum™ 
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We’re glad you purchased a BISSELL vacuum. Everything we know about floor 
care went into the design and construction of this complete, high-tech home 
cleaning system. By purchasing this product you are helping BISSELL with our 
commitment to reducing our impact on the environment through an expanding 
range of sustainable design efforts.
Your vacuum is well made, and we back it with a limited five year warranty.   
We also stand behind it with a knowledgeable, dedicated Consumer Services   
department, so, should you ever have a problem, you’ll receive fast, considerate 
assistance.
My great-grandfather invented the floor sweeper in 1876. Today, BISSELL is a 
global leader in the design, manufacture, and service of high quality homecare 
products like your carpet cleaner.
Thanks again, from all of us at BISSELL. 
Mark J. Bissell
President and Chief Executive Officer

 
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							 3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
When using an electrical appliance, basic 
precautions should be observed, including   
the following: 
R Ea D  all  INStRU ctIo NS 
b Efo RE  USING  yoUR   
U pRIG ht V acUUM. 
 
Always connect to a polarized outlet (one slot is wider 
than the other). Unplug from outlet when not in use and 
before conducting maintenance. 
    
  WaRNING:
 t o reduce 
the risk of fire, electric shock,   
or injury:
 ■  Do not  modify the polarized plug to fit a 
non-polarized outlet or extension cord.
■  Do not leave vacuum cleaner unattended when it 
is plugged in.
■  Unplug from outlet when not in use and 
before servicing.
■  Do not use outdoors or on wet surfaces.
■   Do not allow children to operate vacuum 
cleaner or use as a toy.
■  Close attention is necessary when used by or 
near children.
■    Do not use for any purpose other than described in 
this User’s Guide.
■    Use only manufacturer’s recommended 
attachments.
■  Do not use with damaged cord or plug.
■   If appliance is not working as it should, has been 
dropped, damaged, left outdoors, or dropped   
into water, have it repaired at an authorized   
service center.
■  Do not pull or carry by cord, use cord as a handle, 
close a door on cord, or pull cord around sharp 
edges or corners. Do not run appliance over cord. 
Keep cord away from heated surfaces.
■  Do not unplug by pulling on cord. To unplug, grasp 
the plug, not the cord.
■    Do not handle vacuum cleaner or plug with 
wet hands.
■   
Do not put any object into openings. Do not use with 
any opening blocked; keep openings free of dust, 
lint, hair, and anything that may reduce air flow.
■  Keep hair, loose clothing, fingers, and all parts of 
body away from openings and moving parts.
■    Turn off all controls before plugging or unplugging 
vacuum cleaner.
■   
Use extra care when cleaning stairs.
■ Unplug before attaching the TurboBrush.
■ Do not pick up flammable materials (lighter fluid, 
gasoline, kerosene, etc.) or use in the presence of 
explosive liquids or vapors.
■  Do not pick up toxic material (chlorine bleach, 
ammonia, drain cleaner, etc.).
■  Do not use vacuum cleaner in an enclosed space 
filled with vapors given off by oil base paint, paint 
thinner, some moth proofing substances, flammable 
dust, or other explosive or toxic vapors.
■    Do not pick up hard or sharp objects such as 
glass, nails, screws, coins, etc.
■  Do not pick up anything that is burning or smoking, 
such as cigarettes, matches, or hot ashes.
■  Do not use without filters in place.
■ Use only on dry, indoor surfaces.
■ Keep appliance on a level surface.
■ Do not carry the vacuum cleaner while it is running.
■ Brush may unexpectedly restart. Unplug from 
outlet when cleaning or servicing.
S a VE  thESE   
INS tRU ctIo NS  foR 
f U tURE USE
thIS  applIaNcE  haS 
a  polaRIZED  plUG.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, this appliance has a 
polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). This plug 
will fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does 
not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not 
fit, contact a qualified electrician to install a proper outlet. 
Do not change the plug in any way.
This model is for household use only.
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Product view
Long Reach 
Hose
TurboBrush®
Crevice Tool
Telescoping 
Extension   
Wand
Dirt Container
Headlight
Height 
Adjustment   
Dial
AireTight
® 
HEPA Filter
BrushFurniture Protection 
Guard
Release Button
Carrying Handle
Screen
Brush Window
Fingertip Power 
Control
Fingertip Brush 
On/Off
Combination   
Brush
Handle Release 
Pedal
Quick Release™ 
Cord Wrap
Quick Release
™ 
Cord Wrap Wand Base
Diverter
Foot Hose
Power Cord

 
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tool required:  phillips screwdriver
1.  Slide upper handle into lower handle by 
pushing forward. Insert two long screws into 
the holes marked with arrows and tighten 
both until snug.
2.  Attach hose rack by placing the rack over 
the center back portion of the vacuum. 
Be sure to feed the power cord through 
the hole in the center of the rack. Line up 
both screws holes and use the two smaller 
screws to attach. Tighten both until snug.
3.  Attach hose by placing the tabbed end into 
the lower left opening on corded side of the 
vacuum. Make sure the tab on the hose cuff 
and the hole in the vacuum line up. Place 
the working end of the hose into the hole on 
the side with the extension wand guides.
4.  Arrange the hose so it lays between the 
vacuum and the rack.
5.  Store the TurboBrush on the front of the handle 
by aligning the slot on the bottom with the tab 
on the handle. Snap into place.
6.  Store the Combination Brush in the slot shown.
7.  Make sure the crevice tool is inside the 
extension wand. Store tools on vacuum as 
shown.
Assembly caUtIoN: Do not plug in your   
vacuum cleaner until   
you  are familiar  with 
all instructions and   
operating procedures.
1 2a
3
5 6-7
2b
T
elescoping 
Extension   
Wand

 
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							Transporting your cleaner
Use the handle on the front to carry the cleaner 
or place the cleaner in the upright position and 
tip back to roll on the rear wheels.
Releasing the power cord
the upper and lower cord wraps rotate to allow 
for quick and easy removal of the power cord.
Fingertip power switch
t he power button is located at the top of the 
vacuum handle. 
t o turn cleaner on, press       button once. 
t o turn cleaner  off, press       button again.
Note:  the rotating brush will not turn on 
unless the unit is in the reclined position 
and the brush switch is on.
Handle positions
Use your foot to pull the handle release pedal 
back to recline the  vacuum cleaner.
Height adjustment
t here are seven height settings available for 
various floor surfaces.  turn the dial on the foot of 
the cleaner to the desired setting.
l owest setting –  for low pile carpet or bare 
floors.  to pick up debris it may be necessary to 
move up one setting.
Medium settings –  for medium pile carpet.
h igh setting –  for high pile and most shag carpet.
Note:  for optimal carpet cleaning   
performance, adjust to the lowest practical 
setting.  If your cleaner is difficult to push, 
adjust to the next higher setting.
If the dial is difficult to turn, tilt the cleaner   
back slightly to take the weight off the foot while 
turning.
Operation
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attENtIoN: Some berber carpets have a 
tendency to fuzz with wear. 
Repeated strokes in the same 
area may aggravate this   
condition.  consider setting your 
cleaner on a higher than normal 
setting for this type of carpet.

 
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							Fingertip brush switch
the rotating brush is turned on or off using the 
switch located below the power switch on  the 
top of the handle.  the brush will start rotating 
when the unit is reclined.  the brush should be 
on for most carpeted floors.  you may want to 
turn the brush off for bare floor cleaning or other 
delicate surfaces.
t o turn the brush  oN, press       button once.
t o turn the brush  off, press       button again.
Brush auto shut-off feature
When your cleaner is in the upright position, the 
brush will not rotate.  the brush will rotate only 
when the cleaner is in the reclined position and 
the brush switch is on.
 
Microban® antimicrobial protection fights the 
growth of odor causing bacteria, mold and   
mildew in your vacuum. It is built-in to key   
components during the manufacturing process 
and won't wash off or wear away. Microban   
provides continuous antimicrobial product 
protection for the useful lifetime of the product 
keeping your vacuum cleaner and fresher. 
Note:  this should not replace normal   
cleaning and maintenance procedures.
Microban is a registered trademark of Microban  products company.
Operation
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Microban® antimicrobial product protection

 
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							Using the tools
1 Make sure the cleaner is in the upright 
position.
2.   Remove the hose wand from the wand 
base. This automatically diverts the   
suction to the hose. Unwrap the hose from 
the cleaner.
3.   Use the hose and wand alone or attach 
any of the tools to the end of the hose 
wand.
TurboBrush
Use rotating brush action for small areas such 
as stairs and upholstery.
Note:  press gently when using the 
t urbobrush to gain maximum cleaning. 
t oo much pressure could cause the brush 
to stop rotating.
Combination brush
Use longer soft bristles for dusting.
Remove long bristle portion and use shorter stiff 
bristles when agitation is needed to remove debris.
Crevice tool
Use in tight narrow spaces
Telescoping extension wand
Use with desired attachment for a longer reach.   to 
extend the wand, twist the collar to “Unlock” and 
push away from you.   twist the collar to “ lock” 
to lock into place.   to retract, twist to unlock, pull 
toward you and twist to relock.
a ll available items may not be included with your 
model.   other tools are available; to order, please 
refer to page 19.
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Operation  attENtIo N: always place the vacuum 
cleaner on the floor in its fully 
upright position when using 
tools.  placing the vacuum in 
this position automatically 
stops the rotating brush.
2
  ca UtIo N: to avoid personal injury 
and to prevent the cleaner 
from falling when cleaning 
stairs, always place it at 
the bottom of the stairs.

 
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							Emptying the dirt container
Empty the dirt container as soon as the dirt  
reaches the “ full” line on the side of the container.
1.  Press the release button on top of the 
carrying handle to remove the dirt container.
2.  Choose an emptying method. Method #2 is 
recommended for allergy sufferers.
  Method #1 – hold the dirt container over 
trash can and push the emptying button to 
open the bottom (2a). Close the bottom after 
the dirt empties.
  Method #2 – place a plastic bag over the bottom 
of the dirt container. Push the emptying button 
through the plastic to open the bottom (2b). After 
the dust settles, close the bottom and remove 
the bag to discard.
3.  Replace dirt container on cleaner by aligning 
the bottom and pushing back until it snaps 
into place.
Operation
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  caUtIo N: Make sure vacuum cleaner 
has been switched off and 
unplugged before removing 
dirt container. 
1
2a
2b
3

 
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							Cleaning the dirt container
additional steps can be taken to clean the dirt 
container as necessary.
1.  Ensure the dirt container has been emptied.
2.  Remove the lower portion by pressing the 
front latch on the upper portion as shown.
3.  Clean the screen with a cloth or soft brush 
to remove dust or debris.
4.  If desired, the lower dirt container may be 
washed in warm water. Make sure it is   
completely dry before reassembling.  Do not 
put in dishwasher.
5.  To reassemble, hold the carry handle and 
place the upper portion into the lower   
portion, lining up the front and back latches. 
Push down until both latches click into place. 
Make sure the dirt container is securely 
assembled before replacing it on machine. 
Cleaning the pre-motor filter
t he pre-motor filter should be checked monthly 
and washed as needed to maintain performance. 
More or less frequent cleaning may be required 
based on individual vacuuming habits and types 
of debris picked up .
1.  The filter is located in the door labeled 
"Filter" behind the dirt container. Push the 
tab at the top and swing the door down to 
access.
2.  Remove foam filter and hold under running 
water to wash. Mild detergent may also be 
used if desired. Wring excess water from 
filter.  air dry thoroughly before replacing.
  WaRNING: Do not operate the cleaner with a 
damp or wet filter or without all 
the filters in place.
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Maintenance and care
  WaRNING: to reduce the risk of   
electric shock, turn power 
switch  off and disconnect 
polarized plug from electri -
cal  outlet before perform-
ing maintenance or   
troubleshooting checks.
2
3
5

 
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