Summary of Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Basic earnings per share —
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 54	$ 30
Weighted Average shares of common stock outstanding	60,288,997	60,196,428
Earnings per average share of common stock	$ 0.90	$ 0.50
Diluted earnings per share —
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$ 54	$ 30
Weighted Average shares of common stock outstanding	60,288,997	60,196,428
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock	138,594	160,346
Stock options	1,054,244	1,379,430
Weighted Average shares of common stock outstanding including dilutive securities	61,481,835	61,736,204
Earnings per average share of common stock	$ 0.88	$ 0.49