The vulcanizable rubber compound optionally can also include a non-alkoxysilane silica shielding agent such as, but not limited to, glycols such as diethylene glycols, polyethylene glycols, and the like, fatty acid esters of hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated C5 or C6 sugars, polyoxyethylene derivatives of fatty acid esters of hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated C5 or C6 sugars, and mixtures thereof, o