Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 30	$ 10	$ 127	$ 57
Net Income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	6	6	18	17
Net income	36	16	145	74
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Beginning balance attributable to Tenneco Inc.	59	(72)	8	37
Beginning balance attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	5	3	5
Beginning balance	64	(69)	13	37
Accumulated Translation of foreign currency statements attributable to Tenneco Inc.	(82)	75	(31)	(34)
Translation of foreign currency statements attributable to Tenneco Inc.	(82)	75	(31)	(34)
Accumulated Translation of foreign currency statements, attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(1)	1	(1)	4
Translation of foreign currency statements, attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(1)	1	(1)	4
Accumulated Translation of foreign currency statements	(83)	76	(32)	(30)
Translation of foreign currency statements	(83)	76	(32)	(30)
Ending balance attributable to Tenneco Inc.	(23)	3	(23)	3
Ending balance attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	4	4	4	4
Ending balance	(19)	7	(19)	7
Additional Liability for Pension Benefits
Beginning balance attributable to Tenneco Inc.	(246)	(246)	(250)	(249)
Beginning balance	(246)	(246)	(250)	(249)
Accumulated Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax attributable to parent	4	3	8	6
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits Attributable to Parent, net of tax	4	3	8	6
Accumulated Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax	4	3	8	6
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax	4	3	8	6
Ending balance attributable to Tenneco Inc.	(242)	(243)	(242)	(243)
Ending balance	(242)	(243)	(242)	(243)
Ending balance attributable to Tenneco Inc.	(265)	(240)	(265)	(240)		(237)
Ending Balance attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	4	4	4	4	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance	(261)	(236)	(261)	(236)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(78)	78	(23)	(28)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(1)	1	(1)	4
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(79)	79	(24)	(24)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc.	(48)	88	104	29
Comprehensive Income (Loss) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	5	7	17	21
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$ (43)	$ 95	$ 121	$ 50