Earnings Per Share - Summary of Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Basic earnings per share —
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 78	$ 81	$ 127	$ 127
Weighted Average shares of common stock outstanding	60,829,125	60,736,737	60,929,839	60,631,080
Earnings per share of common stock	$ 1.27	$ 1.34	$ 2.08	$ 2.10
Diluted earnings per share —
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 78	$ 81	$ 127	$ 127
Weighted Average shares of common stock outstanding	60,829,125	60,736,737	60,929,839	60,631,080
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock	108,266	104,679	97,009	139,024
Stock options	426,311	820,480	462,067	813,621
Weighted Average shares of common stock outstanding including dilutive securities	61,363,702	61,661,896	61,488,915	61,583,725
Earnings per share of common stock	$ 1.26	$ 1.32	$ 2.06	$ 2.06