CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	$ 54	$ 61
Translation of foreign currency statements	(8)	(26)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax	3	4
Other Comprehensive Loss	(5)	(22)
Comprehensive Income	49	39
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Balance January 1	(56)	(19)
Translation of foreign currency statements	(8)	(26)
Balance March 31	(64)	(45)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits
Balance January 1	(299)	(384)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax	3	4
Balance March 31	(296)	(380)
Balance March 31	(360)	(425)
Tenneco Inc.
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	46	54
Translation of foreign currency statements	(6)	(26)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax	3	4
Other Comprehensive Loss	(3)	(22)
Comprehensive Income	43	32
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Balance January 1	(61)	(24)
Translation of foreign currency statements	(6)	(26)
Balance March 31	(67)	(50)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits
Balance January 1	(299)	(384)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax	3	4
Balance March 31	(296)	(380)
Balance March 31	(363)	(430)
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	8	7
Translation of foreign currency statements	(2)	0
Other Comprehensive Loss	(2)	0
Comprehensive Income	6	7
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Balance January 1	5	5
Translation of foreign currency statements	(2)	0
Balance March 31	3	5
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits
Balance January 1	0	0
Balance March 31	0	0
Balance March 31	$ 3	$ 5