I've wasted so many years not reading the manual that comes with new appliances. I thought any idiot can turn on or off a dishwasher, washing machine, etc. Yes, you can most likely use your new appliance without reading the manual but you're missing out on A LOT.
Fear not! 'Reading the manual' probably means reading approximately two pages. Those manuals are thick because there's a lot of nonsense and Spanish and French in them. Read the first few pages in your preferred language and you're set. SO WORTH IT!
After three years of complaining about my Bosch dishwasher, I ended up reading the manual and found out:
1. I need to use my hand to PUSH in the top rack or it won't connect properly to the water supply. I was just closing the door and figuring it was good enough.
2. Don't pre-rinse the dishes. It will CONFUSE the dishwasher who is smart and has a sensor that detects dirt levels and then uses the proper amount of heat and water to do a good job. Just take off big pieces of food but leave it at that.
3. Use the AUTO setting because that setting is meant to work on myriad dishes - from pretty clean to super filthy - all in one load.
4. Don't OPEN the dishwasher door to help dry the dishes at the end because the machine is designed to dry the dishes immediately after the wash is finished and opening the door will make it take longer.
My refrigerator: I was keeping it too cold (by two degrees) and it was freezing the water and ice lines.
My front-loading washing machine: Keep the doors open to avoid mold and smell.
It'll take you three minutes to read a couple pages and you'll save tons of money and time.