Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2012 RSC [Member] Locations	Sep. 30, 2012 RSC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 RSC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 RSC [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 United States [Member] RSC [Member] Locations	Apr. 30, 2012 Canadian provinces [Member] RSC [Member] Locations	Sep. 30, 2012 Current Restructuring Program [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Scenario, Forecast [Member] Acquisition [Member] Minimum [Member] RSC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Scenario, Forecast [Member] Acquisition [Member] Maximum [Member] RSC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Scenario, Forecast [Member] Current Restructuring Program [Member] Acquisition [Member] Minimum [Member] RSC [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Scenario, Forecast [Member] Current Restructuring Program [Member] Acquisition [Member] Maximum [Member] RSC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest acquired						100.00%
Number of rental locations (in locations)						440				43	3
Total purchase consideration						$ 2,586
Acquisition-related costs							8	98	19					10	30
Interim bridge financing fees								31
Capitalized debt issuance costs						67
Increase in the volume of OEC on rent							79.70%	56.90%
Restructuring charge	$ 40	$ 2	$ 93	[1]	$ 5							$ 91	[1]			$ 10	[1]	$ 30	[1]

[1] Reflected in our condensed consolidated statements of income as “Restructuring charge.” These charges are not allocated to our reportable segments.