| **Financing Activities (Details) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified** | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009 |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|
| **Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable**                               |          |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2013                                                               | $ 13,501      |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2014                                                               | 5,702         |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2015                                                               | 4,164         |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2016                                                               | 2,325         |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2017                                                               | 1,898         |          |          |          |
| Amounts due thereafter                                                            | 1,017         |          |          |          |
| Total amounts due                                                                 | 28,607        |          |          |          |
| Guaranteed residual value                                                         | 477           |          |          |          |
| Unguaranteed residual value                                                       | 497           |          |          |          |
| Less: Unearned income                                                             | (998)         | (944)         | (969)         |          |
| Total gross finance receivables                                                   | 28,583        | 25,125        | 23,106        |          |
| Less: Allowance for credit losses                                                 | (426)         | (369)         | (363)         | (377)         |
| Total net finance receivables                                                     | 28,157        | 24,756        | 22,743        |          |
| Retail Installment Sale Contracts                                                 |          |          |          |          |
| **Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable**                               |          |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2013                                                               | 1,931         |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2014                                                               | 1,440         |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2015                                                               | 961           |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2016                                                               | 491           |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2017                                                               | 183           |          |          |          |
| Amounts due thereafter                                                            | 31            |          |          |          |
| Total amounts due                                                                 | 5,037         |          |          |          |
| Guaranteed residual value                                                         | 0             |          |          |          |
| Unguaranteed residual value                                                       | 0             |          |          |          |
| Less: Unearned income                                                             | (74)          |          |          |          |
| Total gross finance receivables                                                   | 4,963         |          |          |          |
| Wholesale Installment Sale Contracts                                              |          |          |          |          |
| **Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable**                               |          |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2013                                                               | 286           |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2014                                                               | 13            |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2015                                                               | 8             |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2016                                                               | 3             |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2017                                                               | 0             |          |          |          |
| Amounts due thereafter                                                            | 0             |          |          |          |
| Total amounts due                                                                 | 310           |          |          |          |
| Guaranteed residual value                                                         | 0             |          |          |          |
| Unguaranteed residual value                                                       | 0             |          |          |          |
| Less: Unearned income                                                             | 0             |          |          |          |
| Total gross finance receivables                                                   | 310           |          |          |          |
| Retail Finance Leases                                                             |          |          |          |          |
| **Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable**                               |          |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2013                                                               | 3,239         |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2014                                                               | 2,180         |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2015                                                               | 1,252         |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2016                                                               | 618           |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2017                                                               | 249           |          |          |          |
| Amounts due thereafter                                                            | 125           |          |          |          |
| Total amounts due                                                                 | 7,663         |          |          |          |
| Guaranteed residual value                                                         | 420           |          |          |          |
| Unguaranteed residual value                                                       | 469           |          |          |          |
| Less: Unearned income                                                             | (772)         |          |          |          |
| Total gross finance receivables                                                   | 7,780         |          |          |          |
| Wholesale Finance Leases                                                          |          |          |          |          |
| **Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable**                               |          |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2013                                                               | 103           |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2014                                                               | 66            |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2015                                                               | 48            |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2016                                                               | 25            |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2017                                                               | 6             |          |          |          |
| Amounts due thereafter                                                            | 0             |          |          |          |
| Total amounts due                                                                 | 248           |          |          |          |
| Guaranteed residual value                                                         | 57            |          |          |          |
| Unguaranteed residual value                                                       | 28            |          |          |          |
| Less: Unearned income                                                             | (25)          |          |          |          |
| Total gross finance receivables                                                   | 308           |          |          |          |
| Retail Notes                                                                      |          |          |          |          |
| **Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable**                               |          |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2013                                                               | 4,069         |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2014                                                               | 1,837         |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2015                                                               | 1,715         |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2016                                                               | 1,175         |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2017                                                               | 1,454         |          |          |          |
| Amounts due thereafter                                                            | 861           |          |          |          |
| Total amounts due                                                                 | 11,111        |          |          |          |
| Guaranteed residual value                                                         | 0             |          |          |          |
| Unguaranteed residual value                                                       | 0             |          |          |          |
| Less: Unearned income                                                             | (87)          |          |          |          |
| Total gross finance receivables                                                   | 11,024        |          |          |          |
| Wholesale Notes                                                                   |          |          |          |          |
| **Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable**                               |          |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2013                                                               | 3,873         |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2014                                                               | 166           |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2015                                                               | 180           |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2016                                                               | 13            |          |          |          |
| Amounts due in 2017                                                               | 6             |          |          |          |
| Amounts due thereafter                                                            | 0             |          |          |          |
| Total amounts due                                                                 | 4,238         |          |          |          |
| Guaranteed residual value                                                         | 0             |          |          |          |
| Unguaranteed residual value                                                       | 0             |          |          |          |
| Less: Unearned income                                                             | (40)          |          |          |          |
| Total gross finance receivables                                                   | $ 4,198       |          |          |          |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the guaranteed residual value of outstanding finance receivables.
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the aggregate amount of finance receivables due as of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**cfsc_OutstandingFinanceReceivablesAggregateAmounts**Namespace Prefix:**cfsc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the amount of finance receivables due after year five following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**cfsc_OutstandingFinanceReceivablesDueAfterYearFive**Namespace Prefix:**cfsc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the amount of finance receivables due within the next twelve months following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**cfsc_OutstandingFinanceReceivablesDueInNextTwelveMonths**Namespace Prefix:**cfsc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the amount of finance receivables due in year five following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**cfsc_OutstandingFinanceReceivablesDueInYearFive**Namespace Prefix:**cfsc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the amount of finance receivables due in year four following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**cfsc_OutstandingFinanceReceivablesDueInYearFour**Namespace Prefix:**cfsc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the amount of finance receivables due in year three following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**cfsc_OutstandingFinanceReceivablesDueInYearThree**Namespace Prefix:**cfsc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the amount of finance receivables due in year two following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**cfsc_OutstandingFinanceReceivablesDueInYearTwo**Namespace Prefix:**cfsc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the unguaranteed residual value of outstanding finance receivables.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**cfsc_UnguaranteedResidualValue**Namespace Prefix:**cfsc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                            |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
A valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7512638&loc=SL6953423-111524
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of deferred interest and fee income, unamortized costs incurred to originate loans and leases, unamortized loan commitments and loan syndication fees, and premiums over or discounts from face amounts of acquired loans. Excludes amounts for loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.
+ References
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+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableDeferredIncome**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount before allowance and after deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6375948&loc=d3e4428-111522Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 01-6 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph e -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878
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