Financing Activities (Details 6) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Loans Managed, Securitized or Asset-backed Financing Arrangement
Other managed assets, Off Balance-Sheet	$ 269		$ 269		$ 235
Asset backed securitization, Restricted assets of consolidated QSPE	0		0		0
Asset backed securitization, Restricted liabilities of consolidated QSPE	0		0		0
Purchases of trade receivables from Caterpillar
Amortization of receivables purchase discount	$ 61	$ 55	$ 181	$ 157

This element represents the revenue recognized in the current period associated with the discount received on purchases of trade receivables from parent entity.

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cfsc_AmortizationOfReceivablesPurchaseDiscount
Namespace Prefix:	cfsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	cfsc_PurchasesOfTradeReceivablesFromCaterpillarAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	cfsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansManagedOrSecuritizedAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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=d3e107314-111719

Reference 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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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

- 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

- Definition

The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's liabilities included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant