Accounting Policies Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Capitalized interest expense adjustment for prior periods	$ 13

Total interest cost adjustment in the current period for costs capitalized in prior periods.

No definition available.

Name:	gt_InterestCostsIncurredCapitalizedPriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	gt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration