I am a Benz tech and have had to deal with these filters over and over. I found the ultimate trick to the tab is to not touch it period. If you reach below the tab line you will find a ring and that ring is threaded into the sensor so all you do is grab it with your fingers and spin the fitting out of the sensor leaving the tab, connector and line attached it's that simple. You never need to touch that crappy white break in a heartbeat tab so it can't break.