Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 RSC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 RSC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 RSC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 RSC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 RSC [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 RSC [Member] Locations	Dec. 31, 2011 Coble Trench Safety [Member]	Feb. 29, 2012 Coble Trench Safety [Member] Locations	Apr. 30, 2012 United States [Member] RSC [Member] Locations	Apr. 30, 2012 Canadian provinces [Member] RSC [Member] Locations	Dec. 31, 2012 Current Restructuring Program [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Current Restructuring Program [Member] RSC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Scenario, Forecast [Member] Acquisition [Member] Minimum [Member] RSC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Scenario, Forecast [Member] Acquisition [Member] Maximum [Member] RSC [Member]	Jan. 20, 2013 Scenario, Forecast [Member] Current Restructuring Program [Member] Acquisition [Member] Minimum [Member] RSC [Member]	Jan. 20, 2013 Scenario, Forecast [Member] Current Restructuring Program [Member] Acquisition [Member] Maximum [Member] RSC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest acquired									100.00%
Revenue reported by acquired entity for last annual period								$ 1,500		$ 20
Number of rental locations (in locations)									440		11	43	3
RSC merger related costs	111	19	0	13	19												15	20
Interim bridge financing fees						31
Capitalized debt issuance costs						67
Increase in the volume of OEC on rent							63.20%
Restructuring charge	$ 99	$ 19	$ 34											$ 96	[1]	$ 96			$ 5	$ 10

[1] Reflected in our consolidated statements of income as “Restructuring charge.” The restructuring charges are not allocated to our segments.