Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Millions, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Premium on Common Stock and Other Capital Surplus	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Less - Common Stock Held as Treasury Stock, at Cost	Tenneco Inc. Shareholders	Noncontrolling interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2008			$ 2,809	$ (318)	$ (2,502)	$ 240		$ 24
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2008		48,314,490				1,294,692
Issuance of common shares		12,000,000
Premium on common stock issued		1	188
Common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans, shares		283,195
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans, value			8
Stock options exercised, shares		192,054
Other comprehensive income (loss)				106
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc.	(73)				(73)
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Excluding Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests								13
Dividend declared								(5)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2009	11	1	3,005	(212)	(2,575)	240	(21)	32
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2009		60,789,739				1,294,692
Purchase of additional noncontrolling equity interest			(11)
Sale of equity interest to Tenneco Inc.								(4)
Common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans, shares		142,643
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans, value			14
Stock options exercised, shares		609,378
Other comprehensive income (loss)				(25)
Other Comprehensive Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests								3
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc.	39				39
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Excluding Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests								16
Dividend declared								(8)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2010	35	1	3,008	(237)	(2,536)	240	(4)	39
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		61,541,760				1,294,692
Purchase of additional noncontrolling equity interest			(2)
Common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans, shares		49,871
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans, value			10
Purchase of common stock through share repurchase program, shares	400,000					400,000
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program, value						16
Stock options exercised, shares		509,704
Other comprehensive income (loss)				(145)
Other Comprehensive Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests								(1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc.	157				157
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Excluding Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests								19
Dividend declared								(14)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 43	$ 1	$ 3,016	$ (382)	$ (2,379)	$ 256		$ 43
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		62,101,335				1,694,692