Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Net sales and operating revenues	$ 2,031	$ 1,963	$ 2,067	$ 1,903	$ 1,753	$ 1,778	$ 1,920	$ 1,912	$ 7,964	$ 7,363	$ 7,205
Cost of Sales (Excluding Depreciation and Amortization)	1,703	1,691	1,736	1,604	1,474	1,494	1,595	1,607	6,734	6,170	6,037
Earnings Before Interest Expense, Income Taxes and Noncontrolling Interests	118	72	141	93	84	111	137	96	424	428	379
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 54	$ 12	$ 63	$ 54	$ 33	$ 125	$ 87	$ 30	$ 183	$ 275	$ 157
Basic earnings per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.90	$ 0.19	$ 1.04	$ 0.90	$ 0.55	$ 2.09	$ 1.45	$ 0.50	$ 3.03	$ 4.58	$ 2.62
Diluted earnings per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.88	$ 0.19	$ 1.02	$ 0.88	$ 0.54	$ 2.05	$ 1.42	$ 0.49	$ 2.97	$ 4.50	$ 2.55