Transactions with Related Parties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction
Dividend paid to Caterpillar									$ 275	$ 600	$ 400
Maximum borrowing capacity from Caterpillar, Variable lending agreements	$ 2,830								2,830
Maximum lending capacity to Caterpillar, Variable lending agreements	2,290								2,290
Amount available, Committed credit facility extended to Caterpillar	2,000								2,000
Notes payable to Caterpillar	1,637				$ 1,096				1,637	1,096	1,108
Notes receivable from Caterpillar	530				490				530	490	414
Discounts earned on purchased receivables									207	222	243
Total revenues	642	$ 651	$ 659	$ 643	648	$ 653	$ 683	$ 689	2,595	2,673	2,885
Depreciation on equipment leased to others									841	836	870
Caterpillar
Related Party Transaction
Dividend paid to Caterpillar									275	600	400
Maximum borrowing capacity from Caterpillar, Variable lending agreements	2,830								2,830
Maximum lending capacity to Caterpillar, Variable lending agreements	2,290								2,290
Amount available, Committed credit facility extended to Caterpillar	2,000								2,000
Interest expense, Caterpillar									15	6	7
Interest income on Notes Receivable with Caterpillar									30	21	18
Fees on committed credit facility extended to Caterpillar									40	40	41
Purchases of receivables from Caterpillar									28,631	33,154	36,816
Discounts earned on purchased receivables									207	222	243
Balance of purchased receivables	2,431				2,601				2,431	2,601	3,238
Marketing program payments received									233	188	173
Amount of our portfolio that is subject to guarantees by Caterpillar	403				418				403	418
Charges for employee medical plans and postretirement benefit plans administered by Caterpillar									29	29	30
Contributions to defined benefit plans									7	7	7
Stock based compensation expense									9	12	11
Operational and administrative support charges reimbursed to Caterpillar									28	37	37
Administrative support services to certain Caterpillar subsidiaries reimbursed by Caterpillar									9	12	12
Caterpillar Wholly-Owned Dealers
Related Party Transaction
Total portfolio, which includes finance receivables and equipment on operating lease, net of depreciation	$ 18				$ 49				18	49
Total revenues									8	9	11
Depreciation on equipment leased to others									$ 7	$ 7	$ 9