Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Basic earnings per share --
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc., Basic	$ 50	$ 40	$ 97	$ 47
Average shares of common stock outstanding	59,980,866	59,142,946	59,901,929	59,033,416
Basic earnings per share of common stock	$ 0.84	$ 0.68	$ 1.62	$ 0.79
Diluted earnings per share --
Net Income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 50	$ 40	$ 97	$ 47
Average shares of common stock outstanding	59,980,866	59,142,946	59,901,929	59,033,416
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock	211,556	354,974	294,526	414,059
Stock options	1,621,052	1,501,109	1,716,882	1,445,492
Average shares of common stock outstanding including dilutive securities	61,813,474	60,999,029	61,913,337	60,892,967
Earnings per average share of common stock	$ 0.81	$ 0.66	$ 1.56	$ 0.77