While it works fine, I feel I need to pull the T handle harder than I should. Is there a recommended technique for this sophisticated piece of equipment?

TIA

Joe

Pull the cable and lube it. Lube the pivots on the hinge and the slider and the tumbler in the T handle. Then move onto the door hardware. Makes a big difference.

Thanks Mark, is it a matter of disconnecting at the front latch and the whole cable will withdraw from the sheath?

Could be as simple as adj the slack in the cable. Is the release point at the very end of the pull or is the cable tight right from the start? Also look at where the cable sheath is clamped at the latch.

Yes. It's easy.
Lubing the cable is important since it places less stress on the parts.
You don't have to remove the cable for the engine lid since gravity will help distribute the lube down the cable.