There are two tabs on the left side of the airbox looking in from the front of the car. The one furthest away from the bumper closer to the driver is really hard to get back on with the K&N filter. I've gotten the front tab in and screwed both screws in tightly. Can I forego getting that rear tab in? It looks as though there is a tight seal and I don' think that any dirt will get in ....... anyone have this issue? There really isn't any room to play with on that end!!!

 

Don't drive around with that tab out! You won't get a good seal, and the filter housing will allow dirty air into the intake.

Whatever you do, take your time and don't put a lot of force on those tabs. I had one of those loops crack on me (was able to fix w/superglue).

My rear tab does not stick very far into the loop at all. I had to check and re-check to make sure it was actually in there. (It's a TL-S, so if you have a TL-P my experience might be a little different.)