Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net Sales and Operating Revenues	$ 2,155	$ 2,096	$ 2,212	$ 2,136	$ 2,031	$ 2,025	$ 2,130	$ 2,023	$ 8,599	$ 8,209	$ 8,420
Cost of Sales (Excluding Depreciation and Amortization)	1,790	1,741	1,810	1,770	1,688	1,707	1,764	1,686	7,111	6,845	7,025
Earnings Before Interest Expense, Income Taxes and Noncontrolling Interests	75	152	177	124	128	116	155	120	528	519	492
Net Income Attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 40	$ 180	$ 86	$ 57	$ 68	$ 52	$ 78	$ 49	$ 363	$ 247	$ 226
Basic Earnings per Share of Common Stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.74	$ 3.24	$ 1.51	$ 1.00	$ 1.18	$ 0.89	$ 1.27	$ 0.81	$ 6.49	$ 4.14	$ 3.72
Diluted earnings per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.73	$ 3.21	$ 1.49	$ 0.99	$ 1.17	$ 0.88	$ 1.26	$ 0.80	$ 6.44	$ 4.11	$ 3.66