This machine is great, but the instructions are trash. Hope this helps some of you. You MUST FILL OIL before use:1) Unplug machine2) When looking at the back of the machine; remove the single bolt that is bottom center.3) Using gloves (edges are kinda sharp), slowly & carefully lift the corners of the back of the machine tilting the whole unit forward like a giant lid until it rests on it face. This exposes the components and pump motor.4) Unscrew the black cap on the pump motor, then unscrew the filter.5) Fill oil into the hole where the filter came out of until the gauge is 1/2 to 3/4 full; DO NOT OVERFILL!!6) Screw filter back in and screw cap on top of that. Close lid carefully and put screw back in to secure. Remember unit now has oil, do not tip on it's side.7) Plug in and turn on power switch.8) Configuring the sealing times:--- a) Press settings button; set vac time to 30 seconds--- b) Press settings button; set seal time to 1.5 seconds--- c) Press settings button; set cooling time to 4 seconds--- ** Adjust as necessary; goal is to have vac in green area and not to overseal the bag (causes excess wear on sealing strip).9) Place bag in the unit and the bag edge under the holding bar on the sealing strip; then close lid.10) While pushing down on the front edge of the lid press start. You can let go of the lid once the vac pulls down.
Katherine Pettinari 
