Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Net sales and operating revenues	$ 1,784	$ 1,773	$ 1,888	$ 1,760	$ 1,577	$ 1,542	$ 1,502	$ 1,316	$ 7,205	$ 5,937	$ 4,649
Cost of sales (excluding Depreciation and amortization)	1,514	1,492	1,565	1,466	1,325	1,280	1,222	1,073	6,037	4,900	3,875
Earnings before interest expense, income taxes, and noncontrolling interests	88	84	113	94	62	67	93	59	379	281	92
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 30	$ 30	$ 50	$ 47	$ (18)	$ 10	$ 40	$ 7	$ 157	$ 39	$ (73)
Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock	$ 0.50	$ 0.51	$ 0.84	$ 0.78	$ (0.31)	$ 0.17	$ 0.68	$ 0.11	$ 2.62	$ 0.65	$ (1.50)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock	$ 0.49	$ 0.49	$ 0.81	$ 0.75	$ (0.31)	$ 0.17	$ 0.66	$ 0.11	$ 2.55	$ 0.63	$ (1.50)