Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended						3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended						60 Months Ended		12 Months Ended						60 Months Ended	12 Months Ended						60 Months Ended	12 Months Ended							1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 General Rentals [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 General Rentals [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 General Rentals [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Branch closure charges [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Branch closure charges [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Closed Restructuring Program [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Closed Restructuring Program [Member] employees branches		Dec. 31, 2010 Closed Restructuring Program [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Closed Restructuring Program [Member]	Dec. 31, 2007 Closed Restructuring Program [Member] employees branches	Dec. 31, 2012 Closed Restructuring Program [Member] Branch closure charges [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Closed Restructuring Program [Member] Branch closure charges [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Closed Restructuring Program [Member] Branch closure charges [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Closed Restructuring Program [Member] Branch closure charges [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Closed Restructuring Program [Member] Severance costs [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Closed Restructuring Program [Member] Severance costs [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Closed Restructuring Program [Member] Severance costs [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Closed Restructuring Program [Member] Severance costs [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Current Restructuring Program [Member] employees branches		Dec. 31, 2012 Current Restructuring Program [Member] Branch closure charges [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Current Restructuring Program [Member] Severance costs [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Current Restructuring Program [Member] RSC [Member]	Jan. 20, 2013 Acquisition [Member] Current Restructuring Program [Member] RSC [Member] Scenario, Forecast [Member] Minimum [Member]	Jan. 20, 2013 Acquisition [Member] Current Restructuring Program [Member] RSC [Member] Scenario, Forecast [Member] Maximum [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of employees											7,500					10,900															11,300
Number of branches											529					697															836
Restructuring charges incurred to date															$ 107								$ 86							$ 21
Restructuring charge	99	19	34				6	14	3	[1]	19	[1]	34	[1]			3	[1]	17	[1]	28	[1]		0	[1]	2	[1]	6	[1]		96	[1]	53	[1]	43	[1]	96	5	10
Asset impairment charges				$ 15	$ 4	$ 9

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