Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc	$ 30	$ 47	$ (18)	$ 7	$ 157	$ 39	$ (73)
Net Income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests					26	24	19
Net income (loss)					183	63	(54)
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Beginning balance attributable to Tenneco Inc.		8		37	8	37	(42)
Beginning balance attributable to Noncontrolling Interests		5			5
Beginning balance		13		37	13	37	(42)
Accumulated Translation of foreign currency statements attributable to Tenneco Inc.					(38)	(29)	79
Translation of foreign currency statements attributable to Tenneco Inc.					(38)	(29)	79
Accumulated Translation of foreign currency statements, attributable to Noncontrolling Interests					(1)	5
Translation of foreign currency statements, attributable to Noncontrolling Interests					(1)	5
Accumulated Translation of foreign currency statements					(39)	(24)	79
Translation of foreign currency statements					(39)	(24)	79
Ending balance attributable to Tenneco Inc.	(30)		8		(30)	8	37
Ending balance attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	4		5		4	5
Ending balance	(26)		13		(26)	13	37
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits
Beginning balance attributable to Tenneco Inc.		(250)		(249)	(250)	(249)	(276)
Beginning balance		(250)		(249)	(250)	(249)	(276)
Accumulated Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax attributable to parent					(102)	(1)	27
Accumulated Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax					(102)	(1)	27
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits Attributable to Parent, net of tax					(102)	(1)	27
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax					(102)	(1)	27
Ending balance attributable to Tenneco Inc.	(352)		(250)		(352)	(250)	(249)
Ending balance	(352)		(250)		(352)	(250)	(249)
Ending balance attributable to Tenneco Inc.	(382)		(242)		(382)	(242)	(212)
Ending Balance attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	4		5		4	5
Ending Balance	(378)		(237)		(378)	(237)	(212)
Other comprehensive income (loss)					(140)	(30)	106
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests					(1)	5
Other comprehensive income (loss)					(141)	(25)	106
Comprehensive Income attributable to Tenneco Inc.					17	9	33
Comprehensive Income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests					25	29	19
Comprehensive Income					$ 42	$ 38	$ 52