Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2012 RSC [Member] Locations	Jun. 30, 2012 RSC [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 RSC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 RSC [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 United States [Member] RSC [Member] Locations	Apr. 30, 2012 Canadian provinces [Member] RSC [Member] Locations	Jul. 31, 2012 Acquisition [Member] Minimum [Member] RSC [Member]	Jul. 31, 2012 Acquisition [Member] Maximum [Member] RSC [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Current Restructuring Program [Member]		Jul. 31, 2012 Current Restructuring Program [Member] Acquisition [Member] Minimum [Member] RSC [Member]		Jul. 31, 2012 Current Restructuring Program [Member] Acquisition [Member] Maximum [Member] RSC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest acquired						100.00%
Number of rental locations (in locations)						440				43	3
Total purchase consideration						$ 2,586
Acquisition-related costs							80	90	19			30	50
Interim bridge financing fees							31	31
Capitalized debt issuance costs						67
Increase in the volume of OEC on rent							63.70%	42.90%
Restructuring charge	$ 53	$ 2	$ 53	[1]	$ 3									$ 52	[1]	$ 60	[1]	$ 80	[1]

[1] Reflected in our condensed consolidated statements of operations as “Restructuring charge.” These charges are not allocated to our reportable segments.