Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items] Transfers of Servicing of Financial Assets [Line Items] Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable Net Current Customer notes and accounts, net Accounts Payable Trade Current Trade payables Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Discount Rate Weighted average discount rate Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Gross Environmental remediation accrual, undiscounted basis Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Net Environmental remediation accrual, discounted basis Accrued Income Taxes Current Accrued taxes Accrued Liabilities Current Accrued liabilities Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease Translation of foreign currency statements Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans [Abstract] Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Adjustment Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits Ending Balance Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Cumulative Translation Adjustment Ending Balance Cumulative Translation Adjustment Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Balance September 30 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax attributable to parent. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Attributable To Parent Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Actual [Member] Actual [Member] Actual [Member] North American program maximum facility size. Additional Financing From Second Priority Facility Additional Financing from second priority facility Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock Premium on common stock and other capital surplus Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Premium on Common Stock and Other Capital Surplus Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities - Affiliated income expenses net of interest income. Affiliated Income Expenses Net Of Interest Income Affiliated companies (net of interest income) Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Compensation expense related to nonqualified stock options Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amount of debt offered for exchange by company. Amount Of Debt Offered For Exchange By Company Amount of debt offered for exchange by the company Amount of debt tendered for exchange by the holders. Amount Of Debt Tendered For Exchange By Holders Amount of debt tendered for exchange by the holders Amount of debt tendered for exchange by holders current period. Amount Of Debt Tendered For Exchange By Holders Current Period Amount of debt tendered for exchange by the holders on April 6, 2012 Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount Anti-dilutive stock options Assets Total assets Total Assets Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets Current Total current assets Assets Current [Abstract] Current assets: Australian Dollar [Member] Australian Dollar [Member] Australian dollars [Member] Average price of share repurchase program. Average Price Of Share Repurchase Program Average price of share repurchase program Award Type [Axis] Award Type Balance sheet. Balance Sheet Table [Text Block] Balance Sheet Bank facility cancellation notification. Bank Facility Cancellation Notification Bank facility cancellation notification British Pounds [Member] British Pounds [Member] British pounds [Member] Capital Contribution Capital Contribution Capital contribution Capital Expenditures Incurred But Not Yet Paid Period end balance of trade payables for plant, property, and equipment Carrying And Estimated Fair Value [Line Items] Carrying And Estimated Fair Value [Line Items] Carrying And Estimated Fair Value [Line Items] Carrying Reported Amount Fair Value Disclosure [Member] Carrying Amount [Member] Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, September 30 (Note) Cash and cash equivalents, January 1 Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash expenditures related to restructuring activity. Cash Expenditures Related To Restructuring Activity Restructuring and related costs settled with cash Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and contingencies Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Common Stock Value Common stock Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc. Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive Income Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block] Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items] Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] Consolidation Eliminations [Member] Reclass & Elims Cost of sales exclusive of depreciation and amortization. Cost Of Sales Exclusive Of Depreciation And Amortization Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below) Cost Of Sales [Member] Cost of Sales [Member] Costs And Expenses Total costs and expenses Costs and expenses Costs And Expenses [Abstract] Costs and expenses Country [Axis] Country [Axis] Country [Axis] Country [Domain] Country [Domain] Country [Domain] Cumulative amount of allowable exclusions recognized in our calculation of financial covenant ratios. Cumulative Amount Of Allowable Exclusions Recognized In Our Calculation Of Financial Covenant Ratios Cumulative amount of allowable exclusions recognized in our calculation of financial covenant ratios Current docket of active and inactive cases nationwide relating to alleged exposure to asbestos from our product categories. Current Docket Of Active And Inactive Cases Nationwide Relating To Alleged Exposure To Asbestos From Our Product Categories Current docket of active and inactive cases nationwide relating to alleged exposure to asbestos from our product categories Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Debt Current Short-term debt (including current maturities of long-term debt) Debt Current [Abstract] Short-term debt (including current maturities of long-term debt) Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Long-Term Debt and Financing Arrangements Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt instrument consent payment as percentage of principal amount. Debt Instrument Consent Payment As Percentage Of Principal Amount Debt instrument consent payment as percentage of principal amount Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage Senior notes rate Debt Instrument Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt instrument redemption price as percentage of principal amount current quarter. Debt Instrument Redemption Price As Percentage Of Principal Amount Current Quarter Debt instrument redemption price as percentage of principal amount current quarter Debt instrument redemption price as percentage of principal amount prior quarter. Debt Instrument Redemption Price As Percentage Of Principal Amount Prior Quarter Debt instrument redemption price as percentage of principal amount prior quarter Decrease in basic earnings per share. Decrease In Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share Decrease in basic and diluted earnings per share Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities Deferred credits and other liabilities Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Deferred income taxes Deferred income tax on income and benefit on expenses. Deferred Income Tax On Income And Benefit On Expenses Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Net Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Operating Loss Carryforwards Domestic Deferred tax assets related to NOL's Defined Benefit Pension Plans And Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract] Amounts recognized for pension and postretirement benefits in other comprehensive income Defined Benefit Plan Amortization Of Gains Losses Actuarial loss Defined Benefit Plan Amortization Of Prior Service Cost Credit Prior service cost (credit) Defined Benefit Plan Contributions By Employer Employer contributions Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Estimated Future Employer Contributions In Current Fiscal Year Employer contributions Defined Benefit Plan Expected Return On Plan Assets Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan Interest Cost Interest cost Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost Net pension and postretirement costs Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures Defined Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Defined Benefit Plans [Domain] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Domain] Defined Benefit Plan Service Cost Service cost - benefits earned during the period Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Depreciation and amortization of other intangibles Derivative Asset Fair Value Net [Abstract] Financial Assets: Derivative By Nature [Axis] Derivative, by Nature Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Derivative Financial Instruments Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Fair Value of Derivative Instruments, Liability Derivatives Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivative Instrument Risk Derivative Name [Domain] Derivative, Name [Domain] Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Disclosure - Accounts Receivables - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Accounts Receivables Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Accounts Receivables - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Amounts Recognized for Pension and Postretirement Benefits in Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Disclosure Amounts Recognized For Pension And Postretirement Benefits In Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Disclosure - Amounts Recognized for Pension and Postretirement Benefits in Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Disclosure - Assumptions Used for Calculating Fair Values of Stock Option Awards [Abstract] Disclosure Assumptions Used For Calculating Fair Values Of Stock Option Awards [Abstract] Disclosure - Assumptions Used for Calculating Fair Values of Stock Option Awards [Abstract] Disclosure - Balance Sheet [Abstract] Disclosure Balance Sheet [Abstract] Disclosure - Balance Sheet [Abstract] Disclosure - Carrying and Estimated Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure Carrying And Estimated Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure - Carrying and Estimated Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure - Common Stock - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Common Stock Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Common Stock - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract] Disclosure Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract] Disclosure Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract] Disclosure - Consolidation and Presentation - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Consolidation And Presentation Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Consolidation and Presentation - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Earnings Per Share Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Earnings Per Share Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Earnings Per Share Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Environmental Matters, Litigation and Product Warranties - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Environmental Matters Litigation And Product Warranties Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Environmental Matters, Litigation and Product Warranties - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Assets on Recurring Basis [Abstract] Disclosure Fair Value Of Financial Assets On Recurring Basis [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Assets on Recurring Basis [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Long Term Debt - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Fair Value Of Long Term Debt Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Long Term Debt - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Financial Instruments Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Financial Instruments Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Financial Instruments Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Ratios under Senior Credit Facility [Abstract] Disclosure Financial Ratios Under Senior Credit Facility [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Ratios under Senior Credit Facility [Abstract] Disclosure - Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts Fair Value on Gross Basis [Abstract] Disclosure Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts Fair Value On Gross Basis [Abstract] Disclosure - Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts Fair Value on Gross Basis [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Long-Term Debt and Financing Arrangements - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Long Term Debt And Financing Arrangements Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Long-Term Debt and Financing Arrangements - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Nonvested Restricted Shares [Abstract] Disclosure Nonvested Restricted Shares [Abstract] Disclosure - Nonvested Restricted Shares [Abstract] Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments [Text Block] Common Stock Disclosure - Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Pension Plans Postretirement And Other Employee Benefits Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Restructuring and Other Charges - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Restructuring And Other Charges Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Restructuring and Other Charges - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Roll Forward of Restructuring Reserve [Abstract] Disclosure Roll Forward Of Restructuring Reserve [Abstract] Disclosure - Roll Forward of Restructuring Reserve [Abstract] Disclosure Segment Information [Abstract] Disclosure Segment Information [Abstract] Disclosure Segment Information [Abstract] Disclosure Segment Information Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Segment Information Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Segment Information Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Disclosure Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Disclosure - Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Disclosure - Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Disclosure Statement Of Comprehensive Income Loss [Abstract] Disclosure - Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Disclosure - Stock Options Status and Activity [Abstract] Disclosure Stock Options Status And Activity [Abstract] Disclosure - Stock Options Status and Activity [Abstract] Disclosure - Summarization for Foreign Currency Forward Purchase and Sale Contracts [Abstract] Disclosure Summarization For Foreign Currency Forward Purchase And Sale Contracts [Abstract] Disclosure - Summarization for Foreign Currency Forward Purchase and Sale Contracts [Abstract] Disclosure - Summary of Earnings Per Share of Common Stock [Abstract] Disclosure Summary Of Earnings Per Share Of Common Stock [Abstract] Disclosure - Summary of Earnings Per Share of Common Stock [Abstract] Disclosure Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Warranty Accrual Rollforward [Abstract] Disclosure Warranty Accrual Rollforward [Abstract] Disclosure - Warranty Accrual Rollforward [Abstract] Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract] Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract] Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Information [Table] Document Information [Table] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Document Type Domestic Country [Member] Federal [Member] Earnings before interest expense, income taxes and noncontrolling interests. Earnings Before Interest Expense Income Taxes And Noncontrolling Interests Earnings (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, noncontrolling interests, and equity in net income from affiliated companies Earnings before interest expense, income taxes, and noncontrolling interests Earnings before interest expense, income taxes, and noncontrolling interests Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings per share Earnings Per Share Basic Basic earnings per share of common stock Earnings per average share of common stock Earnings Per Share Basic [Abstract] Basic earnings per share - Earnings Per Share Diluted Diluted earnings per share of common stock Earnings per average share of common stock Earnings Per Share Diluted [Abstract] Diluted earnings per share - Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Earnings Per Share [Table] Earnings Per Share [Table] Earnings Per Share [Table] Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate U.S. Federal statutory rate Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Eight point six two senior subordinated notes. Eight Point Six Two Senior Subordinated Notes [Member] 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated [Member] Employee matching contributions. Employee Matching Contributions Employee matching contributions Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items] Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items] Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs Report Line [Domain] Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Report Line [Domain] Employee Severance [Member] Severance [Member] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Environmental remediation costs recorded in deferred credits and other liabilities. Environmental Remediation Costs Recorded In Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities Portion of environmental remediation costs recorded in deferred credits and other liabilities Environmental remediation costs recorded in other current liabilities. Environmental Remediation Costs Recorded In Other Current Liabilities Portion of environmental remediation costs recorded in other current liabilities Environment Matters And Other Contingencies [Line Items] Environment Matters And Other Contingencies [Line Items] Environmental Matters, Litigation and Product Warranties [Line Items] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage Range of percentages of investments, equity method investments Estimate Of Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member] Fair Value [Member] Euro [Member] Euro [Member] European euro [Member] Europe [Member] Europe [Member] Europe [Member] Expense recognized for redemption of senior notes. Expense Recognized For Redemption Of Senior Notes Expenses related to redemption Expiration of former revolving credit agreement due two thousand fourteen. Expiration Of Former Revolving Credit Agreement Due Two Thousand Fourteen [Member] Expiration of former revolving credit Agreement due 2014 [Member] Expiration of Tranche B one letter of credit and revolving loan facilities. Expiration Of Tranche B One Letter Of Credit And Revolving Loan Facilities [Member] Expiration of Tranche B-1 letter of credit and revolving loan facilities [Member] Expiration of tranche B term facility. Expiration Of Tranche B Term Facility [Member] Expiration Of Tranche B Term Facility [Member] Facility Closing [Member] Cozad Plant Closing [Member] Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Table] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Text Block] Fair Value of Financial Assets on Recurring Basis Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value By Balance Sheet Grouping Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts Fair Value By Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value By Balance Sheet Grouping [Text Block] Carrying and Estimated Fair Value Fair value by balance sheets grouping. Fair Value By Balance Sheets Grouping [Abstract] Carrying and estimated fair value Fair Value By Fair Value Hierarchy Level [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy Fair Value By Measurement Frequency [Axis] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] Level 1 [Member] Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] Level 2 [Member] Fair Value Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Fair Values Derivatives Balance Sheet Location By Derivative Contract Type By Hedging Designation [Table] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Federal Net Operating Loss Federal Net Operating Loss Federal net operating loss Financial Instruments Disclosure [Text Block] Financial Instruments Financial Instruments [Line Items] Financial Instruments [Line Items] Financial Instruments [Line Items] Financial Instruments [Table] Financial Instruments [Table] Financial Instruments [Table] Financial ratios under senior credit facility. Financial Ratios Under Senior Credit Facility Table [Text Block] Financial Ratios under Senior Credit Facility Financing cost related to sale of securitized receivables. Financing Cost Related To Sale Of Securitized Receivables Discount rate on sale of securitized receivables Financing from first priority securitization facility. Financing From First Priority Securitization Facility North American program maximum facility size