Long-Term Debt, Short-Term Debt, and Financing Arrangements - Summary of Long-Term Debt Obligations Additional Information (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revolver Borrowings Due 2019 [Member] | Tenneco Inc. (Parent Company) | Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average effective interest rate	2.00%	0.00%
Notes Due 2016 Through 2026 [Member] | Other subsidiaries | Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average effective interest rate	0.10%	1.30%
Other Long Term Debt Due 2019 [Member] | Other subsidiaries | Other Long Term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average effective interest rate	6.55%	5.45%
Debentures Due 2017 Through 2025 [Member] | Tenneco Inc. (Parent Company) | Debentures [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average effective interest rate	0.00%	7.50%
Senior Notes Due 2020, 6.875% [Member] | Tenneco Inc. (Parent Company) | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	6.875%	6.875%
Senior Notes Due 2024, 5.375% [Member] | Tenneco Inc. (Parent Company) | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	5.38%	5.38%
Senior Tranche A Term Loan Due 2017 Through 2019 [Member] | Tenneco Inc. (Parent Company) | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average effective interest rate	1.90%	2.70%