Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Basic earnings per share --
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 30	$ 10	$ 127	$ 57
Average shares of common stock outstanding	59,793,866	59,235,282	59,866,717	59,102,041
Earnings per average share of common stock	$ 0.51	$ 0.17	$ 2.12	$ 0.97
Diluted earnings per share --
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 30	$ 10	$ 127	$ 57
Average shares of common stock outstanding	59,793,866	59,235,282	59,866,717	59,102,041
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock	227,243	411,115	275,333	417,262
Stock options	1,520,367	1,433,522	1,596,228	1,339,790
Average shares of common stock outstanding including dilutive securities	61,541,476	61,079,919	61,738,278	60,859,093
Earnings per average share of common stock	$ 0.49	$ 0.17	$ 2.06	$ 0.94

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