Finance Receivables (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Allowance for credit losses	$ 343	$ 338	$ 346	$ 343
Allowance for credit losses as a percent of our recorded investment in finance receivables			1.28%	1.29%
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Balance at beginning of year	343	338
Receivables written off	(24)	(158)
Recoveries on receivables previously written off	9	35
Provision for credit losses	15	133
Adjustment due to sale of receivables	0	(8)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	3	3
Balance at end of period	346	343
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment			$ 98	$ 85
Collectively evaluated for impairment			248	258
Allowance, Ending Balance	343	338	346	343
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment			858	786
Collectively evaluated for impairment			26,173	25,769
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables, Ending Balance			27,031	26,555
Customer
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Allowance for credit losses	331	327	331	331
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Balance at beginning of year	331	327
Receivables written off	(24)	(158)
Recoveries on receivables previously written off	9	35
Provision for credit losses	12	132
Adjustment due to sale of receivables	0	(8)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	3	3
Balance at end of period	331	331
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment			98	85
Collectively evaluated for impairment			233	246
Allowance, Ending Balance	331	327	331	331
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment			858	786
Collectively evaluated for impairment			18,673	18,859
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables, Ending Balance			19,531	19,645
Dealer
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Allowance for credit losses	10	9	12	10
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Balance at beginning of year	10	9
Receivables written off	0	0
Recoveries on receivables previously written off	0	0
Provision for credit losses	2	1
Adjustment due to sale of receivables	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0
Balance at end of period	12	10
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment			0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment			12	10
Allowance, Ending Balance	10	9	12	10
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment			0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment			4,539	4,479
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables, Ending Balance			4,539	4,479
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Allowance for credit losses	2	2	3	2
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses
Balance at beginning of year	2	2
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	3	2
Allowance for Credit Losses
Individually evaluated for impairment			0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment			3	2
Allowance, Ending Balance	$ 2	$ 2	3	2
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment			0	0
Collectively evaluated for impairment			2,961	2,431
Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables, Ending Balance			$ 2,961	$ 2,431

-- None. No documentation exists for this element. --

No definition available.

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

- Definition

This element represents the allowance for credit losses expressed as a percent of finance receivables which is net of unearned income.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cfsc_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesAsPercentOfFinanceReceivablesNetOfUnearnedIncome
Namespace Prefix:	cfsc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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, which decreases (increases) the allowance for loan and lease losses.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Foreign Currency Translation
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513664

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=d3e5212-111524

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesForeignCurrencyTranslation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=d3e5212-111524

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesLoansSold
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11B
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11B
-Subparagraph (g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were individually evaluated for impairment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11B
-Subparagraph (g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesIndividuallyEvaluatedForImpairment1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11B
-Subparagraph (c)(4)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11B
-Subparagraph (c)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesWriteOffs
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The balance of financing receivables that were collectively evaluated for impairment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11B
-Subparagraph (h)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableCollectivelyEvaluatedForImpairment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The balance of financing receivables that were individually evaluated for impairment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11B
-Subparagraph (h)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableIndividuallyEvaluatedForImpairment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65884687&loc=d3e4428-111522

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=d3e5074-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.11)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11B
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis=cfsc_CustomerMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis=cfsc_DealerMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis=cfsc_CaterpillarPurchasedReceivablesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: