Cat Financial Financing Activities (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Period after which Collection of Future Income is Considered as Not Probable	120 days
Dealer
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	$ 3	$ 0
Finance Receivables | Customer
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	689	579
Finance Receivables | Customer | North America
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	48	66
Finance Receivables | Customer | Europe
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	56	35
Finance Receivables | Customer | Asia Pacific
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	11	12
Finance Receivables | Customer | Mining
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	55	69
Finance Receivables | Customer | Latin America
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	242	307
Finance Receivables | Customer | Caterpillar Power Finance
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	$ 277	$ 90