Exhibit 5

                                                 (MAYER, BROWN, ROWE & MAW LOGO)

April 30, 2007

                                                    Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP
                                                              71 S. Wacker Drive
                                                    Chicago, Illinois 60606-4637

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                                                          www.mayerbrownrowe.com

Tenneco Inc.
500 North Field Drive
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045

Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8
     2,600,000 Shares of Common Stock

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

     This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Registration Statement"), to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 30, 2007, relating to 2,600,000 shares of common stock, par
value $0.01 per share (the "Shares"), of Tenneco Inc. (the "Company") issuable
pursuant to the Tenneco Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

     In rendering the opinion set forth below, we have examined and relied upon
originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of
the Registration Statement, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company (as amended), the Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company, the Plan
and such corporate records, certificates of public officials and other
documentation as we deem necessary or appropriate. We have assumed, without
independent investigation, the genuineness of all signatures and the conformity
to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified,
photostatic, reproduced or conformed copies. As to certain matters of fact (both
expressed and implied), we have relied on representations, statements or
certificates of officers of the Company.

     Based upon the above, and subject to the stated assumptions, we are of the
opinion that, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Plan, the Shares
will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

     Our opinion set forth herein is limited to the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware and to the extent that judicial or regulatory orders or
decrees or consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations, validations, filings,
recordings or registrations with governmental authorities are relevant, to those
required under such laws. We express no opinion and make no representation with
respect to any other laws or the law of any other jurisdiction.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and the reference to this firm in the prospectus
contained therein. In giving this consent, we do not

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Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP operates in combination with our associated English
           limited liability partnership in the offices listed above.



Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP

Tenneco Inc.
April 30, 2007
Page 2


admit that we are experts within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act
or within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the
Securities Act.

     Our opinion is expressly limited to the matters set forth above and we
render no opinion, whether by implication or otherwise, as to any other matters
relating to the Company or any other document or agreement involved with the
issuance of the Shares. We assume no obligation to advise you of facts,
circumstances, events or developments which hereafter may be brought to our
attention and which may alter, affect or modify the opinions expressed herein.

                                        Very truly yours,


                                        /s/ MAYER, BROWN, ROWE & MAW LLP

                                        Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP