Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Premium on Common Stock and Other Capital Surplus	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Less - Common Stock Held as Treasury Stock, at Cost	Tenneco Inc. Shareholders	Noncontrolling interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2009		$ 1	$ 3,005	$ (212)	$ (2,575)	$ 240		$ 32
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2009		60,789,739				1,294,692
Purchase of additional noncontrolling equity interest			(11)
Sale of twenty percent equity interest to Tenneco Inc.								(4)
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans, shares		141,246
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans, value			5
Stock options exercised, shares		92,921
Other comprehensive income (loss)				(106)
Other Comprehensive Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests								2
Net Income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	47				47
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Excluding Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests								7
Dividend declared								(8)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2010	(57)	1	2,999	(318)	(2,528)	240	(86)	29
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2010		61,023,906				1,294,692
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010	35	1	3,008	(237)	(2,536)	240		39
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		61,541,760				1,294,692
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans, shares		53,302
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans, value			3
Purchase of common stock through share repurchase program, shares	270,500					270,500
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program, value						11
Stock options exercised, shares		207,790
Other comprehensive income (loss)				55
Net Income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	97				97
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Excluding Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests								10
Dividend declared								(14)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2011	$ 175	$ 1	$ 3,011	$ (182)	$ (2,439)	$ 251	$ 140	$ 35
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2011		61,802,852				1,565,192