Summary of Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Basic earnings per share —
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 46	$ 54
Weighted Average shares of common stock outstanding	60,549,778	60,288,997
Earnings per share of common stock	$ 0.76	$ 0.90
Diluted earnings per share —
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 46	$ 54
Weighted Average shares of common stock outstanding	60,549,778	60,288,997
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock	160,341	138,594
Stock options	793,183	1,054,244
Weighted Average shares of common stock outstanding including dilutive securities	61,503,302	61,481,835
Earnings per share of common stock	$ 0.75	$ 0.88