Vehicle wheel state monitoring device and method

A vehicle wheel state monitoring device (10) appropriately determines whether it is probable that a vehicle wheel is damaged by setting a threshold value for damage determination in accordance with a type of the vehicle wheel fitted to the vehicle. A road surface input calculation portion (108) calculates a road surface input that is a load applied to the tire (20) based on an up-down direction force transmitted to the tire (20) from a road surface. A damage determination portion (110) determines whether it is probable that the vehicle wheel is damaged by comparing the road surface input and a threshold value that is pre-set. A vehicle wheel distinguishing portion (102) receives information from a recording device (32) provided on the vehicle wheel, and distinguishes the type of vehicle wheel fitted to the vehicle wheel. A threshold setting portion (104) sets a threshold value in accordance with the distinguished type of the vehicle wheel.