Automotive supercenter, square footage

No definition available.

Name:	iep_Automotivesupercentersquarefootge
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Gross accounts receivable under factoring facilities qualify as sales.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_GrossAccountsReceivableFactoredQualifyingAsSales
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of Distribution Centers

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_NumberOfDistributionCenters
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of independent wholesalers in network

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_Numberofindependentwholesalersinnetwork
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of locations

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_Numberoflocations
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Service center, square footage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_Servicecentersquarefootage
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Undrawn cash with respect to transferred receivables

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_Undrawncashwithrespecttotransferredreceivables
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Cash Flows between a transferor and a transferee attributable to newly transferred assets related to either a securitization, asset-backed financing arrangement, or similar transfer in which the transferor has continuing involvement with the transferred financial assets underlying the transaction (including, but not limited to, servicing, recourse, and restrictions on transferor's interests in the transferred financial assets).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashFlowsBetweenTransfereeAndTransferorProceedsFromNewTransfers
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Principal amount of transferred financial assets in which the transferor has continuing involvement with the assets underlying the transaction. Continuing involvement includes, but is not limited to, servicing, recourse, and restrictions on transferor's interests in transferred financial assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64830801&loc=d3e107314-111719

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContinuingInvolvementWithTransferredFinancialAssetsPrincipalAmountOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amount (fair value) as of the balance sheet date of the transferor's interests in transferred financial assets (typically securitized receivables, generally not involved in the collection of principal) following transfer of significant portions of such financial instruments to other parties. Such interests could be ancillary cash flows and interest-only strips.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64830801&loc=d3e107314-111719

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestsContinuedToBeHeldByTransferorFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of stores.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfStores
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount expected to be recognized in earnings for the specified restructuring cost.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reflects, by transferred financial asset type, the amount of sales proceeds in excess of or deficient from the sum of the carrying amounts of transferred financial assets plus transaction costs, including those transactions in which the seller/transferor has continuing involvement with the financial assets that have been transferred.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64830801&loc=d3e107207-111719

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 10
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65892426&loc=d3e96813-111708

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritizationFinancialAssetForWhichTransferIsAccountedAsSaleGainLossOnSale
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of units or percentage investment held in the subsidiary by the limited liability company or limited partnership.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 320
-Section S99
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=50485924&loc=d3e611443-123010

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipOwnershipInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=iep_AutomotiveSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=iep_FederalMogulMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=iep_CostrestructureprogramMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=iep_PepBoysMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=iep_IEHAutoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Operating Units Automotive Segment (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Operating Units Automotive Segment (Details)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) ft²	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) ft²	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring	$ 8,000,000	$ 18,000,000	$ 29,000,000	$ 57,000,000
Automotive Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of equity ownership in subsidiary			82.00%
Gross amount of transferred receivables under factoring arrangement	519,000,000		$ 519,000,000		$ 408,000,000
Gross amount of transferred receivables under factoring arrangements qualifying as sales	510,000,000		510,000,000		401,000,000
Undrawn cash with respect to transferred receivables	1,000,000		1,000,000		1,000,000
Proceeds from transferred receivables under factoring arrangements qualifying as sales	311,000,000	380,000,000	1,200,000,000	1,200,000,000
Expenses associated with transferred receivables under factoring arrangements	2,000,000	3,000,000	9,000,000	7,000,000
Maximum exposure associated with transferred receivables under factoring arrangements	5,000,000		5,000,000		$ 11,000,000
Restructuring	7,000,000	$ 18,000,000	28,000,000	$ 57,000,000
Federal-Mogul [Member] \| Cost restructure program [Member] \| Automotive Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Expected additional cost to complete restructuring programs	1,000,000		1,000,000
Federal-Mogul [Member] \| Prior restructuring programs \| Automotive Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Expected additional cost to complete restructuring programs	$ 4,000,000		$ 4,000,000
Pep Boys [Member] \| Automotive Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of locations	805		805
Automotive supercenter, square footage \| ft²	20,000		20,000
Service center, square footage \| ft²	6,000		6,000
IEH Auto [Member] \| Automotive Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of distribution centers	21		21
Number of stores	284		284
Number of independent wholesalers in network	2,000		2,000