Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 50	$ 40	$ 97	$ 47
Net Income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	7	6	12	11
Net Income	57	46	109	58
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Beginning balance attributable to Tenneco Inc.	38	5	8	37
Beginning balance attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	6		5
Beginning balance	44	5	13	37
Accumulated Translation of foreign currency statements attributable to Tenneco Inc.	21	(77)	51	(109)
Translation of foreign currency statements attributable to Tenneco Inc.	21	(77)	51	(109)
Accumulated Translation of foreign currency statements, attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(1)	3		3
Translation of foreign currency statements, attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(1)	3		3
Accumulated Translation of foreign currency statements	20	(74)	51	(106)
Translation of foreign currency statements	20	(74)	51	(106)
Ending balance attributable to Tenneco Inc.	59	(72)	59	(72)
Ending balance attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	5	3	5	3
Ending balance	64	(69)	64	(69)
Additional Liability for Pension Benefits
Beginning balance attributable to parent	(249)	(248)	(250)	(249)
Beginning balance	(249)	(248)	(250)	(249)
Accumulated Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax attributable to parent	3	2	4	3
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits Attributable to Parent, net of tax	3	2	4	3
Accumulated Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax	3	2	4	3
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax	3	2	4	3
Ending balance attributable to parent	(246)	(246)	(246)	(246)
Ending balance	(246)	(246)	(246)	(246)
Ending balance attributable to Tenneco Inc.	(187)	(318)	(187)	(318)
Ending Balance attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	5	3	5	3
Ending Balance	(182)	(315)	(182)	(315)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc.	24	(75)	55	(106)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(1)	3		3
Other comprehensive income (loss)	23	(72)	55	(103)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc.	74	(35)	152	(59)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	6	9	12	14
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$ 80	$ (26)	$ 164	$ (45)