CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 68	$ 49	$ 21	$ 46	$ 247	$ 226	$ 183
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests					56	44	39
Net income					303	270	222
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Balance January 1		(163)		(56)	(163)	(56)	(19)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent					(131)	(105)	(37)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest					(4)	(2)	0
Translation of foreign currency statements					(135)	(107)	(37)
Balance December 31	(298)		(163)		(298)	(163)	(56)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance January 1		(379)		(299)	(379)	(299)	(384)
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent					11	(80)	85
Adjustment to the Liability for Pension and Postretirement benefits, net of tax					11	(80)	85
Balance December 31	(368)		(379)		(368)	(379)	(299)
Balance December 31	(666)		(542)		(666)	(542)	(355)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent					(120)	(185)	48
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest					(4)	(2)	0
Other comprehensive loss					(124)	(187)	48
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent					127	41	231
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest					52	42	39
Comprehensive Income					179	83	270
Tenneco Inc.
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Balance January 1		(166)		(61)	(166)	(61)	(24)
Balance December 31	(297)		(166)		(297)	(166)	(61)
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance January 1		(379)		(299)	(379)	(299)	(384)
Balance December 31	(368)		(379)		(368)	(379)	(299)
Balance December 31	(665)		(545)		(665)	(545)	(360)
Noncontrolling Interests
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Balance January 1		3		5	3	5	5
Balance December 31	(1)		3		(1)	3	5
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance January 1		$ 0		$ 0	0	0	0
Balance December 31	0		0		0	0	0
Balance December 31	$ (1)		$ 3		$ (1)	$ 3	$ 5