CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	$ 89	$ 22	$ 234	$ 157
Translation of foreign currency statements	(60)	23	(61)	(27)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax	2	3	8	13
Other Comprehensive Income	(58)	26	(53)	(14)
Comprehensive Income	31	48	181	143
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Beginning balance	(57)		(56)	(19)	(69)
Translation of foreign currency statements	(60)	23	(61)	(27)
Ending balance	(117)	(46)	(117)	(46)	(69)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits
Beginning balance	(293)		(299)	(384)	(374)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax	2	3	8	13
Ending balance	(291)	(371)	(291)	(371)	(374)
Balance September 30	(408)	(417)	(408)	(417)
Tenneco Inc.
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	78	12	205	129
Translation of foreign currency statements	(60)	23	(60)	(27)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax	2	3	8	13
Other Comprehensive Income	(58)	26	(52)	(14)
Comprehensive Income	20	38	153	115
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Beginning balance	(61)		(61)	(24)	(74)
Translation of foreign currency statements	(60)	23	(60)	(27)
Ending balance	(121)	(51)	(121)	(51)	(74)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits
Beginning balance	(293)		(299)	(384)	(374)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax	2	3	8	13
Ending balance	(291)	(371)	(291)	(371)	(374)
Balance September 30	(412)	(422)	(412)	(422)
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	11	10	29	28
Translation of foreign currency statements	0	0	(1)	0
Other Comprehensive Income	0	0	(1)	0
Comprehensive Income	11	10	28	28
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Beginning balance	4		5	5	5
Translation of foreign currency statements	0	0	(1)	0
Ending balance	4	5	4	5	5
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits
Beginning balance	0		0	0	0
Ending balance	0	0	0	0	0
Balance September 30	$ 4	$ 5	$ 4	$ 5