Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount																	1,800,000		2,200,000		10,900,000
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 41	[1]	$ 73	[1]	$ (52)	[1]	$ 13	[1]	$ 28	[2]	$ 65	[2]	$ 28	[2]	$ (20)	[2]	$ 75	[1]	$ 101	[2]	$ (22)
Convertible debt interest—1 7/8 percent notes																	0		0		0
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to common stockholders																	75		101		(22)
Loss from discontinued operation																	0		0		(4)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders																	$ 75		$ 101		$ (26)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share—weighted-average common shares																	82,960,000		62,184,000		60,455,000
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share—adjusted weighted-average common shares																	94,848,000		73,349,000		60,455,000
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.45	[1]	$ 0.78	[1]	$ (0.63)	[1]	$ 0.21	[1]	$ 0.45	[2]	$ 1.04	[2]	$ 0.45	[2]	$ (0.34)	[2]	$ 0.91	[1]	$ 1.62	[2]	$ (0.38)
Loss from discontinued operation (in dollars per share)																	$ 0.00		$ 0.00		$ (0.06)
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)																	$ 0.91		$ 1.62		$ (0.44)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	[1],[3]	$ 0.70	[1],[3]	$ (0.63)	[1],[3]	$ 0.17	[1],[3]	$ 0.39	[2],[3]	$ 0.91	[2],[3]	$ 0.38	[2],[3]	$ (0.34)	[2],[3]	$ 0.79	[1],[3]	$ 1.38	[2],[3]	$ (0.38)
Loss from discontinued operation (in dollars per share)																	$ 0.00		$ 0.00		$ (0.06)
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)																	$ 0.79		$ 1.38		$ (0.44)
Employee stock options and warrants [Member]
Denominator:
Effect of dilutive securities:																	720,000		1,037,000
Convertible subordinated notes - 1 7/8 percent [Member]
Denominator:
Effect of dilutive securities:																	0		1,015,000
Convertible subordinated notes - four percent [Member]
Denominator:
Effect of dilutive securities:																	10,632,000		8,532,000
Restricted stock units [Member]
Denominator:
Effect of dilutive securities:																	536,000		581,000

[1] During the fourth quarter of 2012, we recognized $13 of charges related to the RSC merger. Additionally, during the quarter, we recognized restructuring charges of $6, primarily reflecting branch closure charges associated with the RSC merger. During the quarter, we also recognized asset impairment charges of $2 which are primarily reflected in non-rental depreciation and amortization and principally relate to write-offs of leasehold improvements and other fixed assets. During the fourth quarter of 2012, we redeemed our 10 7/8 percent Senior Notes and all of our outstanding 1 7/8 percent Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes were converted. Upon redemption/conversion, we recognized a loss of $72 in interest expense, net. The loss represents the difference between the net carrying amount and the total purchase/conversion price of these securities. During the quarter, we also recognized a benefit of $6 in cost of equipment rentals, excluding depreciation related to our provision for self-insurance reserves. Additionally, operating income for the fourth quarter 2012 includes $8 of costs, in the aggregate, primarily related to the merger, which should have been recognized in the second and third quarters of 2012. There is no impact on 2012 full year operating income.

[2] During the fourth quarter of 2011, we recognized $19 of charges associated with the RSC acquisition. Additionally, during the quarter, we closed 18 branches and recognized restructuring charges of $14. During the quarter, we also recognized asset impairment charges of $3 which are primarily reflected in non-rental depreciation and amortization and principally relate to write-offs of leasehold improvements and other fixed assets in connection with our closed restructuring program. In the quarter, we also purchased an aggregate of $32 of QUIPS for $32. In connection with this transaction, we retired $32 principal amount of our subordinated convertible debentures and recognized a loss of $1 in interest expense-subordinated convertible debentures, net, inclusive of the write-off of capitalized debt issuance costs. Interest expense, net for the fourth quarter of 2011 also includes a loss of $3 reflecting write-offs of debt issuance costs associated with the amendment of our ABL facility discussed above. During the quarter, we also recognized a benefit of $8 in cost of equipment rentals, excluding depreciation related to our provision for self-insurance reserves.

[3] Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations includes the after-tax impacts of the following: First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Full YearFor the year ended December 31, 2012: RSC merger related costs (4)$(0.09) $(0.60) $(0.05) $(0.08) $(0.72)RSC merger related intangible asset amortization (5)— (0.21) (0.25) (0.25) (0.74)Impact on depreciation related to acquired RSC fleet and property and equipment (6)— 0.02 0.02 — 0.03Impact of the fair value mark-up of acquired RSC fleet and inventory (7)— (0.05) (0.09) (0.09) (0.24)Pre-close RSC merger related interest expense (8)(0.10) (0.12) — — (0.19)Impact on interest expense related to fair value adjustment of acquired RSC indebtedness (9)— 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03Restructuring charge (10)— (0.39) (0.23) (0.03) (0.64)Asset impairment charge (11)— (0.02) (0.06) (0.01) (0.10)Loss on extinguishment of debt securities, including subordinated convertible debentures, and ABL amendment (12)— — — (0.41) (0.45)Gain on sale of software subsidiary (13)— 0.07 — (0.01) 0.05For the year ended December 31, 2011: RSC merger related costs (4)— $— $— $(0.25) $(0.25)Restructuring charge (10)(0.01) $(0.01) $(0.01) $(0.12) $(0.16)Asset impairment charge (11)— (0.01) — (0.03) (0.04)Loss on extinguishment of debt securities, including subordinated convertible debentures, and ABL amendment (12)(0.01) — — (0.03) (0.04)