Earnings Per Share - Summary of Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except 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
Disclosure Summary Of Earnings Per Share Of Common Stock [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 54	$ 12	$ 63	$ 54	$ 33	$ 125	$ 87	$ 30	$ 183	$ 275	$ 157
Average shares of common stock outstanding									60,474,492	59,985,677	59,884,139
Earnings per average 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
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock									205,020	140,609	168,539
Stock options									914,550	957,224	1,467,482
Average shares of common stock outstanding including dilutive securities									61,594,062	61,083,510	61,520,160
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