A method of preparing a silica reinforcement containing rubber composition, the method comprising the steps, based upon parts by weight per 100 parts by weight rubber (phr): mixing in at least one non-productive mixing step: 100 parts by weight of at least one sulfur vulcanizable elastomer selected from conjugated diene homopolymers and copolymers and copolymers of a vinyl aromatic compound with at least one conjugated diene; 15 to 120 phr of a particulate reinforcing filler comprising silica and rubber reinforcing carbon black, wherein the reinforcing filler contains from 55 to 100 weight percent silica; at least one coupling agent comprising: (a) a bis (3-trialkoxysilylalkyl) polysulfide having an average of from 2 to 4 connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge, or (b) alkoxyorganomercaptosilane; and at least one initial fatty acid salt processing aid; and adding at least one of the same or different further fatty acid salt processing aid as the initial fatty acid salt processing aid subsequent to blending the reinforcing filler comprising silica and the coupling agent with the elastomer composition, wherein the further fatty acid salt processing aid is added in a subsequent mixing step; wherein the initial fatty acid salt processing aid and the same or different further fatty acid salt processing aid is provided as at least one of: an in situ reaction product of zinc oxide and a fatty acid comprising at least one of stearic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid, and their mixtures, or a pre-formed fatty acid salt processing aid comprising a fatty acid anion and cation selected from zinc, calcium, magnesium or aluminum; and wherein from 20 to 45 percent of the total of the fatty acid salt processing aids is provided as the initial fatty acid salt processing aid and from 55 to 80 percent of the total fatty acid salt processing aid is provided as the further fatty acid salt processing aid; and thereafter blending with the resultant rubber composition elemental sulfur and at least one sulfur vulcanization accelerator. mixing in at least one non-productive mixing step: 100 parts by weight of at least one sulfur vulcanizable elastomer selected from conjugated diene homopolymers and copolymers and copolymers of a vinyl aromatic compound with at least one conjugated diene; 15 to 120 phr of a particulate reinforcing filler comprising silica and rubber reinforcing carbon black, wherein the reinforcing filler contains from 55 to 100 weight percent silica; at least one coupling agent comprising: (a) a bis (3-trialkoxysilylalkyl) polysulfide having an average of from 2 to 4 connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge, or (b) alkoxyorganomercaptosilane; and at least one initial fatty acid salt processing aid; and 100 parts by weight of at least one sulfur vulcanizable elastomer selected from conjugated diene homopolymers and copolymers and copolymers of a vinyl aromatic compound with at least one conjugated diene; 15 to 120 phr of a particulate reinforcing filler comprising silica and rubber reinforcing carbon black, wherein the reinforcing filler contains from 55 to 100 weight percent silica; at least one coupling agent comprising: (a) a bis (3-trialkoxysilylalkyl) polysulfide having an average of from 2 to 4 connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge, or (b) alkoxyorganomercaptosilane; and (a) a bis (3-trialkoxysilylalkyl) polysulfide having an average of from 2 to 4 connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge, or (b) alkoxyorganomercaptosilane; and at least one initial fatty acid salt processing aid; and adding at least one of the same or different further fatty acid salt processing aid as the initial fatty acid salt processing aid subsequent to blending the reinforcing filler comprising silica and the coupling agent with the elastomer composition, wherein the further fatty acid salt processing aid is added in a subsequent mixing step; wherein the initial fatty acid salt processing aid and the same or different further fatty acid salt processing aid is provided as at least one of: an in situ reaction product of zinc oxide and a fatty acid comprising at least one of stearic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid, and their mixtures, or a pre-formed fatty acid salt processing aid comprising a fatty acid anion and cation selected from zinc, calcium, magnesium or aluminum; and wherein from 20 to 45 percent of the total of the fatty acid salt processing aids is provided as the initial fatty acid salt processing aid and from 55 to 80 percent of the total fatty acid salt processing aid is provided as the further fatty acid salt processing aid; and an in situ reaction product of zinc oxide and a fatty acid comprising at least one of stearic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid, and their mixtures, or a pre-formed fatty acid salt processing aid comprising a fatty acid anion and cation selected from zinc, calcium, magnesium or aluminum; and wherein from 20 to 45 percent of the total of the fatty acid salt processing aids is provided as the initial fatty acid salt processing aid and from 55 to 80 percent of the total fatty acid salt processing aid is provided as the further fatty acid salt processing aid; and thereafter blending with the resultant rubber composition elemental sulfur and at least one sulfur vulcanization accelerator.