| **Financing Activities (Details 7) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified** | 12 Months Ended |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
||
| **Loans Managed, Securitized or Asset-backed Financing Arrangement**                |            |   |   |
| Asset backed securitization, Restricted assets of consolidated SPE                  | $ 0             | $ 0 | $ 136 |
| Asset backed securitization, Restricted liabilities of consolidated SPE             | 0               | 0 | 73 |
| Proceeds from sales of finance receivables and equipment on operating leases        | 206             | 207 | 16 |
| Gain on sales of receivables                                                        | 3               | 4 | 0 |
| Off balance-sheet managed assets                                                    | 291             | 235 | 225 |
| **Purchase of trade receivables from Caterpillar Entities**                         |            |   |   |
| Amortization of receivables purchase discount                                       | 241             | 212 | 139 |
| Retail finance leases                                                               |            |   |   |
| **Loans Managed, Securitized or Asset-backed Financing Arrangement**                |            |   |   |
| Off balance-sheet managed assets                                                    | 116             | 133 | 109 |
| Retail installment sale contracts                                                   |            |   |   |
| **Loans Managed, Securitized or Asset-backed Financing Arrangement**                |            |   |   |
| Off balance-sheet managed assets                                                    | 66              | 48 | 73 |
| Operating leases                                                                    |            |   |   |
| **Loans Managed, Securitized or Asset-backed Financing Arrangement**                |            |   |   |
| Off balance-sheet managed assets                                                    | 60              | 15 | 36 |
| Retail notes receivable                                                             |            |   |   |
| **Loans Managed, Securitized or Asset-backed Financing Arrangement**                |            |   |   |
| Off balance-sheet managed assets                                                    | $ 49            | $ 39 | $ 7 |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the revenue recognized in the current period associated with the discount received on purchases of trade receivables from parent entity.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**cfsc_AmortizationOfReceivablesPurchaseDiscount**Namespace Prefix:**cfsc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The cash inflow associated with the sale of receivables arising from the financing of goods and services and equipment on operating leases.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**cfsc_ProceedsFromSaleOfFinanceReceivablesAndEquipmentOnOperatingLeases**Namespace Prefix:**cfsc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**cfsc_PurchasesOfTradeReceivablesFromCaterpillarAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**cfsc_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The gains (losses) included in earnings that represent the difference between the sale price and the carrying value of loans and leases that were sold during the reporting period. This element refers to the gain (loss) and not to the cash proceeds of the sales. This element is a noncash adjustment to net income when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 24 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3521-108585Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 26, 31 -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 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfLoansAndLeases**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_LoansManagedOrSecuritizedAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This is the sum of principal amount outstanding for both securitized and unsecuritized loans of all types.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=13989330&loc=d3e107314-111719Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 140 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph i -Subclause a -Clause 4 -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 FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS140-4/FIN46(R)-8 -Paragraph B11 -Subparagraph b -Clause 6 -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.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_PrincipalAmountOutstandingOnLoansManagedAndSecuritized**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's assets included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (bb) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7880789&loc=d3e5710-111685
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's liabilities included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (bb) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7880789&loc=d3e5710-111685
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |