Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net Sales and Operating Revenues	$ 2,031	$ 2,025	$ 2,130	$ 2,023	$ 2,004	$ 2,081	$ 2,241	$ 2,094	$ 8,209	$ 8,420	$ 7,964
Cost of Sales (Excluding Depreciation and Amortization)	1,688	1,707	1,764	1,686	1,685	1,735	1,851	1,754	6,845	7,025	6,734
Earnings Before Interest Expense, Income Taxes and Noncontrolling Interests	128	116	155	120	83	140	156	113	519	492	424
Net Income Attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 68	$ 52	$ 78	$ 49	$ 21	$ 78	$ 81	$ 46	$ 247	$ 226	$ 183
Basic Earnings per Share of Common Stock (in dollars per share)	$ 1.18	$ 0.89	$ 1.27	$ 0.81	$ 0.34	$ 1.29	$ 1.34	$ 0.76	$ 4.14	$ 3.72	$ 3.03
Diluted Earnings per Share of Common Stock (in dollars per share)	$ 1.17	$ 0.88	$ 1.26	$ 0.80	$ 0.33	$ 1.27	$ 1.32	$ 0.75	$ 4.11	$ 3.66	$ 2.97