As a general rule... Torque wrenches should be stored at there lowest torque setting, but never go below the lowest marked setting. They should not be used in the first or last 10% of the torque range they are rated at, so if you had a torque wrench that went from 0-100 in/lbs, you should only use it for torquing between 10-90 in/lbs. Torque wrenches should be used for that function only, they should not be used as a regular ratchet wrench, they should not be used for removing bolts/nuts unless you are just check the torque level they turn at. Then a regular ratchet should be used to finish removing it. We recalibrated our torque wrenches every six months, unless it was dropped, then it had to be sent out right away. If the torque was suspect for any reason, the wrench would also be sent out. This was for military aviation use, where EVERY single bolt/nut/screw was torqued, so we used the torque wrenches several dozen times a day. Light automotive use is not so life and death
