Cat Financial Financing Activities (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Credit Loss Activity
Balance at beginning of year	$ 423	$ 366
Receivables written off	(133)	(149)
Recoveries on receivables previously written off	38	47
Provision for credit losses	78	160
Other	(5)	(1)
Balance at end of period	401	423
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	60	54
Collectively evaluated for impairment	341	369
Ending Balance	401	423
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment	736	593
Collectively evaluated for impairment	23,409	22,715
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables	24,145	23,308
Customer
Allowance for Credit Loss Activity
Balance at beginning of year	414	360
Receivables written off	(133)	(149)
Recoveries on receivables previously written off	38	47
Provision for credit losses	76	157
Other	(5)	(1)
Balance at end of period	390	414
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	60	54
Collectively evaluated for impairment	330	360
Ending Balance	390	414
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment	736	593
Collectively evaluated for impairment	19,539	18,831
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables	20,275	19,424
Dealer
Allowance for Credit Loss Activity
Balance at beginning of year	9	6
Receivables written off	0	0
Recoveries on receivables previously written off	0	0
Provision for credit losses	2	3
Other	0	0
Balance at end of period	11	9
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	11	9
Ending Balance	11	9
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3,870	3,884
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables	$ 3,870	$ 3,884