CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Premium on Common Stock and Other Capital Surplus	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Less - Common Stock Held as Treasury Stock, at Cost	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010		$ 1	$ 3,008	$ (237)	$ (2,536)	$ 240	$ 39
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		61,541,760				1,294,692
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issued pursuant to benefit plans (in shares)		49,871
Stock options exercised (in shares)		509,704
Purchase of noncontrolling equity interest	(2)		(2)
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans			10
Other comprehensive loss	(141)			(145)			(1)
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	157				157		19
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program (in shares)						400,000
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program						16
Other comprehensive income (loss)							(1)
Dividends declared							(14)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	43	1	3,016	(382)	(2,379)	256	43
Total Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity at Dec. 31, 2011						0
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		62,101,335				1,694,692
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issued pursuant to benefit plans (in shares)		149,398
Stock options exercised (in shares)		538,649
Purchase of noncontrolling equity interest	0		0
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans			15
Other comprehensive loss	(25)			(26)			1
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	275				275		20
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program (in shares)						600,000
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program						18
Capital contribution							3
Other comprehensive income (loss)							1
Dividends declared							(22)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	291	1	3,031	(408)	(2,104)	274	45
Total Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity at Dec. 31, 2012	246					246
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		62,789,382				2,294,692
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issued pursuant to benefit plans (in shares)		156,213
Stock options exercised (in shares)		769,133
Purchase of noncontrolling equity interest	(68)		(68)
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans			51
Other comprehensive loss	48			48			0
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	183				183		24
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program (in shares)						550,000
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program						27
Sale of noncontrolling equity interest							(1)
Dividends declared							(29)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	472	1	3,014	(360)	(1,921)	301	39
Total Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 433					$ 433
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		63,714,728				2,844,692