Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Selected quarterly financial information [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 359.6	$ 326.1	$ 339.9	$ 350.4	$ 388.8	$ 373.3	$ 397.2	$ 417.9	$ 1,376.0	$ 1,577.2	$ 1,448.2
Gross profit	56.1	48.2	52.6	51.7	64.3	60.1	62.4	69.8	208.6	256.6	232.3
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(1.6)	(8.4)	(11.8)	(1.0)	15.7	8.8	0.9	12.6	(22.8)	38.0	8.3
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Modine	$ (2.1)	$ (8.7)	$ (12.2)	$ (1.2)	$ 15.6	$ 9.0	$ 1.3	$ 12.6	$ (24.2)	$ 38.5	$ 5.2
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations [Abstract]
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.33	$ 0.18	$ 0.02	$ 0.27	$ (0.52)	$ 0.81	$ 0.18
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.33	$ 0.18	$ 0.02	$ 0.27	$ (0.52)	$ 0.80	$ 0.18
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Modine shareholders [Abstract]
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.33	$ 0.19	$ 0.03	$ 0.27	$ (0.52)	$ 0.83	$ 0.11
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.33	$ 0.19	$ 0.03	$ 0.27	$ (0.52)	$ 0.82	$ 0.11