Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 72	$ (5)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	351	332
Amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts	17	17
Gain on sales of rental equipment	(42)	(30)
Gain on sales of non-rental equipment	(2)	(1)
Stock compensation expense, net	9	6
Restructuring charge	5	19
Loss on repurchase/redemption of debt securities		3
Loss on retirement of subordinated convertible debentures	1
Increase (decrease) in deferred taxes	16	(35)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in accounts receivable	(60)	(62)
Increase in inventory	(17)	(4)
Increase (decrease) in prepaid expenses and other assets	(11)	62
Increase in accounts payable	101	39
Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities	13	2
Net cash provided by operating activities	453	343
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Purchases of rental equipment	(631)	(287)
Purchases of non-rental equipment	(24)	(20)
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment	115	104
Proceeds from sales of non-rental equipment	11	6
Purchases of other companies	(198)
Net cash used in investing activities	(727)	(197)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from debt	1,462	1,481
Payments of debt, including subordinated convertible debentures	(1,383)	(1,625)
Proceeds from the exercise of common stock options	31
Shares repurchased and retired	(7)	(1)
Cash paid in connection with the 4 percent Convertible Senior Notes and related hedge, net	(11)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements, net		(2)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	92	(147)
Effect of foreign exchange rates	5	2
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(177)	1
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	203	169
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	26	170
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid (received) for income taxes, net	20	(49)
Cash paid for interest, including subordinated convertible debentures	$ 141	$ 140