Financing Activities (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Balance at beginning of year	$ 401	$ 387
Receivables written off	(23)	(146)
Recoveries on receivables previously written off	11	47
Provision for credit losses	17us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses	136us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses
Adjustment due to sale of receivables	0	(3)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(14)	(20)
Balance at end of period	392	401
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	74	75
Collectively evaluated for impairment	318	326
Allowance, Ending Balance	392	401
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment	664	614
Collectively evaluated for impairment	27,745	28,861
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables, Ending Balance	28,409	29,475
Customer
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Balance at beginning of year	388	374
Receivables written off	(23)	(146)
Recoveries on receivables previously written off	11	47
Provision for credit losses	18	136
Adjustment due to sale of receivables	0	(3)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(14)	(20)
Balance at end of period	380	388
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	74	75
Collectively evaluated for impairment	306	313
Allowance, Ending Balance	380	388
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment	664	614
Collectively evaluated for impairment	19,532	20,454
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables, Ending Balance	20,196	21,068
Dealer
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Balance at beginning of year	10	10
Receivables written off	0	0
Recoveries on receivables previously written off	0	0
Provision for credit losses	(1)	0
Adjustment due to sale of receivables	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0
Balance at end of period	9	10
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	9	10
Allowance, Ending Balance	9	10
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	5,130	5,169
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables, Ending Balance	5,130	5,169
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Balance at beginning of year	3	3
Receivables written off	0	0
Recoveries on receivables previously written off	0	0
Provision for credit losses	0	0
Adjustment due to sale of receivables	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0
Balance at end of period	3	3
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3	3
Allowance, Ending Balance	3	3
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3,083	3,238
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables, Ending Balance	$ 3,083	$ 3,238

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Amount of gain (loss) from converting allowance reserve for credit loss to currency of reporting entity from amount denominated or measured in a different currency.

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Amount of reduction of allowance reserve for credit loss arising from sale of loan and lease portfolios.

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A valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.

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The valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were collectively evaluated for impairment.

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Amount of recovery of financing receivables doubtful of collection that were previously charged off.

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Amount of direct write-downs of financing receivables charged against the allowance.

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Amount before allowance and after deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

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Amount of expense related to estimated loss from loan and lease transactions.

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