Cat Financial Financing Activities (Details-Allowance for credit losses) - Finance Receivables - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Allowance for Credit Loss Activity
Beginning balance	$ 398	$ 512	$ 475	$ 420
Write-offs	(91)	(139)	(193)	(212)
Recoveries	15	14	39	27
Provision for credit losses	55	67	58	213
Other	(3)	3	(5)	(3)
Ending balance	374	457	374	457
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated	196	211	196	211
Collectively evaluated	178	246	178	246
Ending Balance	374	457	374	457	$ 475
Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated	452	690	452	690
Collectively evaluated	21,446	20,942	21,446	20,942
Total Finance Receivables	21,898	21,632	21,898	21,632
Adjustments to adopt new accounting guidance | Credit losses
Allowance for Credit Loss Activity
Beginning balance			0	12
Allowance for Credit Losses
Ending Balance					0
Customer
Allowance for Credit Loss Activity
Beginning balance	354	467	431	375
Write-offs	(91)	(139)	(193)	(212)
Recoveries	15	14	39	27
Provision for credit losses	17	67	20	213
Other	(3)	3	(5)	(3)
Ending balance	292	412	292	412
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated	118	172	118	172
Collectively evaluated	174	240	174	240
Ending Balance	292	412	292	412	431
Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated	374	612	374	612
Collectively evaluated	19,593	17,967	19,593	17,967
Total Finance Receivables	19,967	18,579	19,967	18,579	19,238
Customer | Adjustments to adopt new accounting guidance | Credit losses
Allowance for Credit Loss Activity
Beginning balance			0	12
Allowance for Credit Losses
Ending Balance					0
Dealer
Allowance for Credit Loss Activity
Beginning balance	44	45	44	45
Write-offs	0	0	0	0
Recoveries	0	0	0	0
Provision for credit losses	38	0	38	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Ending balance	82	45	82	45
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated	78	39	78	39
Collectively evaluated	4	6	4	6
Ending Balance	82	45	82	45	44
Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated	78	78	78	78
Collectively evaluated	1,853	2,975	1,853	2,975
Total Finance Receivables	$ 1,931	$ 3,053	1,931	3,053
Dealer | Adjustments to adopt new accounting guidance | Credit losses
Allowance for Credit Loss Activity
Beginning balance			$ 0	$ 0
Allowance for Credit Losses
Ending Balance					$ 0