Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Net sales and operating revenues	$ 2,004	$ 2,081	$ 2,241	$ 2,094	$ 2,031	$ 1,963	$ 2,067	$ 1,903	$ 8,420	$ 7,964	$ 7,363
Cost of Sales (Excluding Depreciation and Amortization)	1,685	1,735	1,851	1,754	1,703	1,691	1,736	1,604	7,025	6,734	6,170
Earnings Before Interest Expense, Income Taxes and Noncontrolling Interests	83	140	156	113	118	72	141	93	492	424	428
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 21	$ 78	$ 81	$ 46	$ 54	$ 12	$ 63	$ 54	$ 226	$ 183	$ 275
Basic earnings per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.34	$ 1.29	$ 1.34	$ 0.76	$ 0.90	$ 0.19	$ 1.04	$ 0.90	$ 3.72	$ 3.03	$ 4.58
Diluted earnings per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.33	$ 1.27	$ 1.32	$ 0.75	$ 0.88	$ 0.19	$ 1.02	$ 0.88	$ 3.66	$ 2.97	$ 4.50