06 Scion xA - Air filter change issues?

[Alyssa]

I am having problems disconnecting the air intake hose from the filter housing, no amount of straining or swearing will remove it (and it is supposed to come off). What can I do to loosen it that will not cause any damage?
Should have added, there are clips, but the intake hose needs to come off as well for the clips to work (clips on one side, hinges on the other). There is a screw-on hose clamp which is completely loose, but the hose is just plain stuck tight.

[Gabriel]

It's probably easier than you're making it. I'm betting brute force will work.

That being said, next time you get your oil changed and they try to sell you an air filter (have they ever not tried to sell you one?) make sure they show you yours. If they don't come up to you with it in hand, follow them out to the car and watch how it comes out. If they do come up to you with it in hand, follow them out to the car and watch him put it back in.

Now you know how to do it yourself and you don't even have to consider paying $20 for their crappy no name air filter. Go buy the fram and throw it in. You just saved $10 and got a much better air filter in the process.

The good news is that there's no emergency here. You can put it off until your next oil change.

[Wobbily]

it should have a metal or plastic clamp at the end of the hose.

either you loosen the clamp with pliers or it might be an unscrewable one.
or it has a clip and you hold down the plastic lever while you pull out the bottom piece.